Wednesday 30 November 2016

Guest Review: Christmas at the Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

It's Christmas in the Cornish coastal village of Mount Polbearne - a time for family, friends and feasting. When Polly's not creating delicious treats in the Little Beach Street bakery, she's cuddled up with her gorgeous boyfriend, Huckle. But when a storm cuts the village off from the mainland, can the villagers work together to save Christmas for everybody?



Review: As a great fan of Jenny Colgan's writing, and of her Little Beach Street Bakery tales in particular, I was really looking forward to reading this book. I have really enjoyed following the earlier books in the series, but to have one set at Christmas was an added bonus. 

In this story, we return to Mount Polbearne, the little village cut off from the mainland except when the tides are right and the causeway is open. All the characters from previous stories are there, including the one that I am sure fans will agree is the star - Neil the puffin. Polly Waterford, owner of the Little Beach Street Bakery, and creator of such wonderful mouthwatering delicacies, has been working hard and is looking forward to a lovely quiet Christmas with fiancĂ© Huckle in their lighthouse home. Of course that is hardly likely to happen. As well as being dragged into various Christmas activities, Polly is struggling with herself, wondering where her life should be going next. 

Although the book centres around Polly and Huckle, there is plenty going on with the other characters as well. In particular, Polly's best friend, Kerensa is having a crisis and forcing Polly to keep a secret that is testing Polly's friendship and loyalty. There are also fears about the future of the island village. They have previously resisted plans to build a bridge to make connection with the outside world 'easier' but will this work against them when they campaign to reopen the village school? 

Although this is the third book in the series, you wouldn't have had to read the others to follow the plot of this one. On the other hand, I can't imagine anyone reading this wouldn't want to go back and find out how it all began. It is lovely to follow Polly's journey from when we first met her to this present time. I think this book is a festive delight, filled with romance, humour and drama, and would be a great addition to anyone's Christmas stocking, or ebook collection. 

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