Joined in 2023 
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Marrying her husband Desmond Fforde, the cousin of famous writer Jasper Fforde, in 1972, she then had three children; Briony, Francis and Guy. It was only after her third child was born that she begun her career as a writer, whilst using her married name to write under. Living in Stroud in Gloucestershire, she takes an active part in the local community where she sings in the choir there, whilst undertaking a variety of other activities.
One Enchanted Evening - Hardback (2023) – Katie Fforde
It’s Spring 1966, Dorset. The owner of a hotel known as Nightingale Woods has passed away leaving the property to his sons Andrew and Colin and a mysterious third person, much to Colin’s distaste. Andrew has been running the hotel for two years but has to go to France to sort out some legal things regarding his father. Louise had been hired as a receptionist and office manager, but now it’s down to her to run the place. Andrew’s son, Justin, is only a short distance away so she can ask him if she needs to make any decisions, only problem is Justin thinks Louise is a gold digger and is after his father for money or the hotel. Enter Justin, the son of the hotel owner and professional chef… you see where I’m going with this?!! Total enemies-to-lovers vibes *nods* I can always rely on Katie to create and develop beautifully drawn characters who just work perfectly in whatever situation she places them in. The chemistry between Meg and Justin is undeniable, but they are both late to the realisation party as Meg follows her dreams to work in France. I think this is one of the best Katie Fforde romances I have read for a while. The 1960s setting, and his ambivalent feelings towards his father, totally explains Justin's attitude to Meg and her mother, yet it is also quite clear to the reader fairly early on that Justin is also quite smitten by Meg and finds any excuse to visit the hotel. Sure you have to suspend disbelief a little bit to think that a coat of paint, a bunch of flowers, and a few new cushion covers will miraculous make the hotel more inviting, but much is made of the homely (in the good sense) atmosphere, more of a home-from-home than a hotel, somewhere the aristocracy can stay while attending social events in the area.The last few chapters seemed a bit unedited. They chopped around with oddments of text that I think should have gone somewhere else, and they felt a bit rushed. But my biggest bugbear was the number of characters in the story, and particularly when another boatload turned up for the finale/closing image.
2023: WINNERS ANNOUNCED RNA ROMANTIC NOVEL AWARDS 2023: WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Featuring the story of thirty-five year old Polly Cameron, it tells of how she’s not looking for a relationship with a strong and independent mindset. Seemingly happy with life whilst somewhat world-weary, she’s keen to do things on her own whilst not needing others for company in the process. Residing in a small Gloucestershire town not unlike that of the author, she has her cat for company whilst taking an active part in her local community whilst working at a cafe. This all leads to both her family and friends attempting to set her up with various men in a number of different and increasingly elaborate ways, all efforts which she constantly attempts to fend off. Not wanting to complicate her life anymore, she wants to keep herself busy without relying on others for any help or assistance, instead doing things alone. That’s when a man enters her life to help her reevaluate things and maybe change her mind on what she previously thought to be the case. Will she change her mind and manage to settle down? Can she ever truly be happy? What will become of Polly Cameron as she finds herself living dangerously? A French Affair Writer of a number of romance novels, British author Katie Fforde was born on the 27th of September, 1952, as Catherine Rose Gordon-Cumming. Growing up in Wimbledon, London, she spent the majority of her upbringing in the city, something which helped inform much of her later work. With her sister Jane Gordon-Cumming a famous writer as well, her fate as an author was sealed with her passion for literature established early on. Meg longs to be a professional cook, but in 1964 the idea of a female chef running a kitchen is considered ridiculous. Undaunted, she has plans to travel to France and work on her already impressive skills to chase her dream of becoming a pastry chef. Set in Dorset, England 1966, "One Enchanted Evening" is a feel-good romance novel that would make you want to go there if you're like me, who hasnt been to the place; if only to experience rustic house hotels. Think: AirBnb in a mansion but with room service and professional/trained kitchen staff. This takes you through the nitty gritty bits of keeping one running in the 1960s when en suite rooms were yet an emerging trend. I loved watching Meg, together with help of her mum, the staff (who are just as invested) and her friends, breathe new life into the hotel. It felt like I was catching up with old friends when first David then Alex & Antoine (swoon!), and the kids turned up to help and support Meg. This group of friends prove family isn’t just about blood.Without a doubt, Meg is definitely the one who was destined for a future in food. Creating beautiful dishes at the cookery school, she also appeared in A Wedding in Provence with a showstopper cake that proved to be far superior to anything that a local pâtissier could produce. What I thoroughly loved about this story was the twist though, especially as it involved my favourite character. It added a little bit of mystery to the book, and it wove beautifully through the romance without seeming like a side quest. Meg goes to help her mother, Louise, at the hotel. It follows the ups and downs that running a country hotel entails. They desperately want to improve the hotel by adding en-suite bathrooms and improving the decoration. The owner of the hotel has recently passed away and the son’s of the owner are trying to find a mysterious third beneficiary of the hotel. Justin is a moody, handsome chef who happens to be the son of one of the sons.
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