Review: Faraway Inn

 

Calisa travels to Vermont to spend the summer with her great aunt at her B&B. She needs to get out of New York City and away from the boy who just broke her heart. When she arrives, the B&B is more rundown than she imagined. Worse, her aunt isn't interested in her help. In fact, she's only allowing Calisa to stay for three days. 

Calisa is determined to make herself useful in hopes that it will prolong her stay. There aren't many guests, but she begins with making pancakes, cleaning rooms, and bringing back the afternoon tea time. 

Strange things start happening that Calisa can't explain. No one is answering her questions. In fact, her great aunt told her not to ask questions. But Calisa can't help but wonder if something more is happening here...

Why I read this book: I love Sarah Beth Durst's books and come on, look at that cover!

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved that it's set in Vermont. I love the setting and the description of nature. I enjoyed getting to know the guests, the quirks of the B&B, and the magic behind it all. I loved the relationship between Calisa and Jack, the groundskeeper's son. I couldn't put this book down, but I also didn't want it to end. This was a cozy read that wrapped you up like a warm hug.

Cover Thoughts: Charming and gorgeous

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public teen library section

Middle Grade Review: Into the Rapids

Addy's excited to attend survival camp, especially to meet new friends for school next year. She doesn't really have any friends in this small town. She and her mother live on the outskirts of town. They're pretty isolated. A storm comes through and wipes out the bridge leaving the village in trouble.  

Addy's worried she won't be able to make it to camp. She keeps running into Caleb. She's not a fan of him after he teased her leaving their classmates to call her nickname. The more they see each other, the more they talk. They begin to understand each other. Could Caleb help Addy get to camp?

My Thoughts: This wasn't the book I thought this was - but I really loved it. I loved the slow friendship build-up between Addy and Caleb. I loved how Addy and her mom slowly became part of the town. I love how the community comes together to help each other after the storm. I did love the survival moments of the book - and the reason that Addy's afraid of water. A really great read.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Why I read this book: I love survival stories (which I thought this was)

Library Recommendations: Highly Recommended for your middle grade collection

* fictional town in Vermont

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Set in Vermont

 This week's topic is all about setting. I chose books set in Vermont because that's my home state.

Read this year:

Book Club Hotel

The Inn at Tansy Falls

Read Previously:

White Christmas Inn

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas

Pumpkin Spice up Your Life

City Baker's Guide to Country Living

Spoonful of Murder

Picture book based on a true story 

Library on Wheels (connection to Vermont)

It's always fun to read a book about your home state! What books have you read that featured Vermont?

BookTok: The Christmas Book Hotel

There are so many things to love about this book. But I adored the relationships! Plus, Delphie was a hoot! And it's set in Vermont, which is never a bad thing! Isn't the cover stunning!  

@yabooknerdlibrarian Cozy book alert! Sarah Morgan’s new book is all about friendship, family, and family. It left me with a book hangover. Read it! #booktok #christmasromance #romancetok #winter #hotchocolate ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Review: The Inn at Tansy Falls

 

First in a new series

Nell is on her way to a small Vermont town - sent there by her best friend. Her best friend died, leaving her the responsibility of spreading her ashes in one of her favorite places. Nell isn't keen on leaving London. She's been stuck in her ways for the past few years.

However, once she gets to Tansy Falls, she's thrown into the small town with a list from Megan. Megan has created an itinerary for her - seeing the town and getting to know the people. It doesn't all go according to plan - it's mud season in Vermont. And she's not used to it. Before long, Nell comes to love the town and the people. 

She can't imagine leaving at the end of two weeks. 

My Thoughts: I grew up in Vermont, so I appreciated the setting, the mud season, and the jokes. Nell was a fish out of water a few times, adding to the humor of the story. I loved watching Nell fall in love with the town and with people in it. The town has a fun cast of characters - from the feuding ladies, Nell's new friends, the sweet boy with his cute single father... This book totally makes me want to visit home. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. This book would make a lovely Hallmark movie. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendations: Grab this one for your romance collection and hand it out to your Hallmark watchers. 

Christmas Book Review: White Christmas Inn

A New England inn seems like the picture-perfect place to spend the holidays. But when a snowstorm shuts the roads and keeps them all inside, the guests find themselves worrying that this Christmas may not be exactly what they dreamed of.

Molly just needs to keep her head down and finish her latest book, but her writer’s block is crippling. The arrival of Marcus, a handsome widower with two young girls, is exactly the distraction she doesn't need.

Hannah was hoping for a picturesque winter wedding, but her plans come crashing down when her fiancé calls everything off. She reconnects with her childhood friend, Luke, when he comes to check on his grandmother before the storm.

Jeanne and Tim don't know how they're going to keep the inn open another year—or how to bridge the distance between them in their marriage. With a flurry of unexpected guests, they'll have to work together to fix all the problems that crop up. But will it be enough to rekindle their relationship?

As the characters’ stories intertwine, they start to find hope where they thought it had been lost. With faith, and a little bit of Christmas magic, the inn—and its inhabitants—might just make it through the holidays after all.  - summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I love how everyone was stranded at the Inn. And how magical the inn was - I wouldn't mind being stranded there. The situation made everyone come together - it made everything sweeter. I loved all the storylines - the writer and the little girls who inspire her, the wedding that wasn't, and the inn that's struggling. This is the kind of book that makes you want to hold tight to the people you love and count your good fortune. It's a heartwarming tale, perfect for a winter escape. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your public library's romance collection 

Review: 12 Dogs of Christmas

When things in the city go sideways, Ally sees it as a sign to travel to Vermont to her grandparents for the holidays - and maybe even longer. But she's surprised to discover the kennel her grandparents have been running for years in losing it's town funding after the first of the year. And there are still 12 dogs left to find homes.

One of the council members, the town's Grinch, has a change of heart. While he can't help the town budget, he does volunteer to help find the dogs homes before the funding disappears. It doesn't help that his niece (whom he's legally responsible for) has been pestering him for a dog for ages. There just isn't enough time in the day for everything.

At first Ally isn't impressed with Ben, but he grows on her. Ben comes up with great ideas to showcase the dogs. The more time they spend together, the more they realize that it's not a bad thing, and the more the town gossips about them. But for Ben, his niece comes first, and he's not about to take a chance on someone who isn't sure they're staying in Vermont...

My Thoughts: This is the first book in a new series - lots of small town charm. And I love that it's set in Vermont. I loved the dogs in this book - they were all adorable and super cute. To be honest, they stole the book a little bit. I loved Ben's niece Astrid. I loved the banter between Ben and Ally. And how they worked together to find homes for all the dogs. I can't wait to read more books in the series. If you're a Hallmark movie watcher - this book is perfect for you!

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: Gifted

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for your romance collection!

Middle Grade Review: Pumpkin Spice Up Your Life

 

* Part of the Wish series *

Nadine and Daniel are best friends. She creates music. He creates coffee drinks. They talk about everything - including coming from single family homes. Daniel's father past away. Nadine's mother left her family. 

Life is great between the two friends - until a new family moves to town. For one thing, they purchase the coffeeshop where they hang out and where Daniel works. Secondly, Kira becomes the new girl in town. 

Nothing much happens in the small Vermont town, so Kira is instantly popular. And Daniel is smitten with her. Nadine can't figure out why he likes her so much or why he's insisiting on showing Kira how much he likes her through anonymous gifts. But one thing's for sure...this changes Everything! 

My Thoughts: So this series - isn't a series in term of characters, but there's always food involved. And recipes. I was surprised to read about the fictional Vermont town, which would be really close to where I grew up. It's fun seeing landmarks in the book. I love the cute coffee shop where everyone hangs out. If Daniel made hot chocolate drinks the way he makes coffee drinks, I would hang out there too! I love how both Daniel and Nadine have discovered something they're passionate about. I loved their friendship. I enjoyed the romance in the book. I really liked the parents in the book - and how their stories ended. Another winner in this series and I hope there are more books coming!

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Another sweet treat for your middle grade collection! 

Review: City Baker's Guide to City Living

Olivia Rawlings had a tiny mishap at her job in Boston. In order to escape the humiliation, she flees to Vermont and her best friend. Her escape turns into something more permanent when a local inn needs a pastry chef.

But life in the country moves differently than life in the city. Small town charm has it's pitfalls too.Gossip spreads faster than wildfire. Since her father died, Olivia's been feeling alone in the world. Could coming to Vermont be just what she needed?

My Thoughts: I really liked this book. Like country life, this book was full of small details that made you read slowly. I really liked the small town charm and the people in it. I enjoyed the descriptions of food, especially of pastries. I adored the apple pie contest and the competition. Of course the dog was adorable. The McCracken family was my favorite part of the book with their relationships, their loudness, and their togetherness. The friendships, the way of life, the food, and the slow burn romance made this book.

Cover Thoughts: I LOVE this cover! It's the paperback cover  and it speaks of Vermont to me. It's perfect.
Source: Book sent for review
Fun Fact:  Louise Miller is a pastry chef who works in Boston

Next Book: Louise Miller’s second novel, The Late Bloomers' Club, comes out July 17, 2018 Pamela Dorman Books/Viking. Check out the cover:

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Mysterious Saturday Review: Spoonful of Murder

* First in a series *

Lucky Jamieson's parents died leaving her their soup cafe in Vermont. Lucky hasn't been back in years, but she puts her life on hold to return home.  As she's struggling to get her feet underneath her, someone's murdered behind the restaurant.

As the numbers of customers dwindle, Lucky begins to lose hope of maintaining the cafe.  She's worried about being able to pay the bills. She decides to poke around in the murder to see if she can uncover any answers. When her cook's arrested for the murder, customers stop coming in all together. The murder needs to be solved - and quickly. The more questions, Lucky asks, the more she riles up town people. Could she be next on the list?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this cozy mystery - especially the setting. As a Vermont girl, I felt like going home and hunkering down for the cold winter nights. I loved the small town and the local people.

I liked Lucky, although I thought she made several questionable decisions. I did like how she attempted to patch things up with her former friend. I also admired how she's attempting to re-imagine her life back in Vermont, even without her parents.

I loved Lucky's grandfather.He was smart, sweet, and a gentlemen. I hope to see much more of him in the series. 

I loved the moments of cooking in the cafe, it made me want to eat a delicious sandwich and a hot bowl of soup.

Cover Thoughts: Perfectly cozy
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: A good mystery to curl up with on cold winter's night with a bowl of soup in front of the fire.