Sunday 11 September 2016

Book Review - A Wedding in Cornwall by Laura Briggs

Amazon UK
Title: A Wedding in Cornwall
Author: Laura Briggs
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Author supplied review copy
Publisher: Self Published
Publication Date: 11th August 2016
Rating: 4 Stars


It’s the career move of a lifetime, and Julianne can’t believe it’s hers: a position as an event planner at a country house in Cornwall, England, beginning with the wedding of a celebrity! If her old firm's senior planner back in the States hadn't fallen suddenly sick with the chicken pox, Julianne would never have found herself chosen for a life in one of England's most beautiful coastal counties, surrounded by rugged shores, quaint cottages, elegant gardens and a house to die for. 

But life in Cornwall isn't exactly as Julianne imagined it. Her first bride-to-be is a resentful, petted snob, the groom is immature and bored, and the Cornish staff of Cliffs House has a difficult time believing that an event planner from a mid-level position can handle a wedding this big. And then there's a personal matter -- the handsome, sometimes charming, sometimes standoffish gardener Matthew Rose. He and Julianne have a strangely complicated relationship somewhere between friendship and attraction. But with a secret in his past, and a scheming bridesmaid plotting to have Matthew all to herself, will Julianne find a way to untangle her feelings and the problems of planning a perfect Cornish wedding? 

A Wedding in Cornwall is a short but sweet novella, introducing us to Julianne, the new wedding planner at Cliffs House. Although she worked for an events company in America, she hasn't been in sole charge of an event before, and yet she finds herself in a small village in Cornwall, with a wonderful set of people willing to help her out, as she organises a huge celebrity wedding. 

While taking a break from wedding planning she comes across Poldark lookalike (I swear they get everywhere nowadays), Matthew Rose, the House's gardener and incredibly knowledgeable man. Over a series of outings, Matt shows Julianne the village of Ceffylgwyn as well as gardens at local other stately homes, and introduces her to the delights of local Cornish fare. 

The author admits in  a letter to readers at the start that she has never been to Cornwall, but she certainly conjures up the images of a fictional Cornwall, which feels well researched, especially with regards Cornish flora, food, and the sense of a beautiful location, with a small town community feel (or at least staff of a country house all banding together). 

This is the first book in a promising new series, and one I will be keen to continue with. It's also the first book I have read by Laura Briggs and I'm happy to state that I like her writing style, her descriptions and characterisations as well as her sense of humour. A Wedding in Cornwall is certainly a lovely summery read, great for an hour or two in a garden in the unusual heatwave we have been having.

Thank you to Laura Briggs for this review copy. This was my honest opinion. 

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