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The Love Trilogy #1
Room For Love
When wedding planner Carrie Archer inherits the crumbling Avalon Inn where she spent her childhood summers, she knows she’ll do whatever it takes to make it home. With no money for renovations, that means finding investors if she ever hopes to turn the Avalon into a dream wedding venue.
But Carrie has been left more than the inn—she’s also inherited its occupants, including three senior citizens, a single-father chef with childcare issues, a panicky receptionist, and one very gorgeous gardener.
So when her cousin Ruth declares her intention to get married at the Avalon on Christmas Eve, Carrie finds herself juggling decorating with dance nights, budgeting with bridge games...and sabotage with seduction.
But Carrie has been left more than the inn—she’s also inherited its occupants, including three senior citizens, a single-father chef with childcare issues, a panicky receptionist, and one very gorgeous gardener.
So when her cousin Ruth declares her intention to get married at the Avalon on Christmas Eve, Carrie finds herself juggling decorating with dance nights, budgeting with bridge games...and sabotage with seduction.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2012
4 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Pembroke
241 books126 followersSophie Pembroke writes very British romances for Orion, Mills & Boon / Harlequin Romance, Avon and HQ. She has been dreaming, reading and writing romance ever since she read her first Mills & Boon as part of her English Literature degree at Lancaster University, so getting to write romantic fiction for a living really is a dream come true!
She lives in a little English market town with her scientist husband, wildly imaginative ten year old daughter, and adorable four year old son. She spends her days writing, drinking tea and curling up with a good book. (Oh, and planning. There is a lot of planning.)
In Sophie’s world, happy is for ever after, everything stops for tea, and there’s always time for just one more page…
She lives in a little English market town with her scientist husband, wildly imaginative ten year old daughter, and adorable four year old son. She spends her days writing, drinking tea and curling up with a good book. (Oh, and planning. There is a lot of planning.)
In Sophie’s world, happy is for ever after, everything stops for tea, and there’s always time for just one more page…
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 1, 2014
You can find my review of Room for Love as well as many others over at http://beccasbooooks.blogspot.co.uk/.
Firstly, huge thanks to the author Sophie Pembroke and of course the fantastic publishers Carina UK. I received Room for Love via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I know how terrible it is for me to start off my review by commenting on Sophie's absolutely swoon-worthy cover, but I'm afraid I just can't help it. When I first spotted it on NetGalley, I knew that I had to read and review the title just so I could see how damn freaking good Sophie's cover would look on my blog. Fortunately, Room for Love turned out to be just as delicious and enjoyable as the cover. I absolutely LOVED it!
Room for Love revolved around the steady renovation of the Avalon Inn, a place where Sophie's protagonist Carrie Archer had spent many childhood summers and experienced her first real kiss. It had once belonged to Carrie's Grandma Nancy but due to Nancy stating her orders within her will, it now belonged to Carrie, and no matter what disastrous state the Avalon Inn had succumbed to, Carrie was willing to do anything to return it back to it's previous beauty, without anybody's help, all on her own. She was determined. But when she realises that she really doesn't have enough funds to go it on her own, she has no other choice but to turn to her Uncle Patrick. As luck would have it, Carrie's cousin Ruth is soon-to-be-wedded, and the Avalon Inn is her chosen location for the wedding.
Carrie Archer was a brilliant character in Room for Love. I adored her fierce nature and personality. She wasn't one to beat around the bush and laze around. When things needed to get done, she got them done and that was that. Sophie didn't beat around the bush either. In the very first opening chapters of Room for Love Carrie arrived at the Avalon Inn and instantly began to reminisce, taking the reader back in time too. The reader was invited inside Carrie's memories, back to a time when her grandmother was still alive and Carrie was just a young girl staying at the Avalon Inn. Sophie completely brought the Inn to life, including all the necessary smells, sights and sounds to create the perfect, idyllic image of childhood. Sophie also successfully included a whole 'disapproving father' aspect too, which in turn played a big role in Carrie's determination when it came to restoring her grandmother's home. Carrie wanted to prove everybody wrong. She wanted to ensure that she needed no help from anybody and could achieve whatever she wanted without people sticking their noses in and trying to help. She was an independent young woman trying to bring her dreams and visions to life. She had big plans for the Avalon Inn and I could just tell that she wasn't going to stop until she reached where she felt she needed to be.
Besides Carrie, there was a whole multitude of colorful, interesting characters to take into consideration, because not only is the narrative from Carrie's POV but it is also written from the gardener's POV too, who just happens to be a very attractive, dishy male named Nathaniel Green. Nate had been working at the Avalon Inn for years and had built a close-knit relationship with the rest of the staff as well as Carrie's grandmother Nancy. I really got a feeling of what some would call 'community spirit, as well as friendship, love and also loyalty. There's an absolute HEAP of fabulous characters included in Room for Love. It's almost as if the story itself is alive with happiness and laughter. I just couldn't get enough of the uplifting and positive feel that was spread throughout the story. Sophie conveyed it perfectly and I couldn't help but feel warm and cosy when reading about them all.
The renovation of the Avalon Inn itself was fantastic. I adored watching the rickety, crumbling building being restored and refreshed. One by one, each imperfection was dealt with, but that's not to say that there weren't any shifty problems that cropped up along the way. This all melted together to create a brilliant mish-mash of funny, entertaining and at times romantic plot that was such a joy to read.
All in all, I think Room for Love was a fantastic book that I really enjoyed reading. I was able to lose myself in the quick-moving plot and feel at one with Sophie's characters which is always a great feeling. I'm giving Room for Love a rating of four gold stars! It was sensational and I would definitely love to read more from the lovely author. She definitely has a smooth way with words, and Nate was just one of the many delights of this story.
Firstly, huge thanks to the author Sophie Pembroke and of course the fantastic publishers Carina UK. I received Room for Love via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I know how terrible it is for me to start off my review by commenting on Sophie's absolutely swoon-worthy cover, but I'm afraid I just can't help it. When I first spotted it on NetGalley, I knew that I had to read and review the title just so I could see how damn freaking good Sophie's cover would look on my blog. Fortunately, Room for Love turned out to be just as delicious and enjoyable as the cover. I absolutely LOVED it!
Room for Love revolved around the steady renovation of the Avalon Inn, a place where Sophie's protagonist Carrie Archer had spent many childhood summers and experienced her first real kiss. It had once belonged to Carrie's Grandma Nancy but due to Nancy stating her orders within her will, it now belonged to Carrie, and no matter what disastrous state the Avalon Inn had succumbed to, Carrie was willing to do anything to return it back to it's previous beauty, without anybody's help, all on her own. She was determined. But when she realises that she really doesn't have enough funds to go it on her own, she has no other choice but to turn to her Uncle Patrick. As luck would have it, Carrie's cousin Ruth is soon-to-be-wedded, and the Avalon Inn is her chosen location for the wedding.
Carrie Archer was a brilliant character in Room for Love. I adored her fierce nature and personality. She wasn't one to beat around the bush and laze around. When things needed to get done, she got them done and that was that. Sophie didn't beat around the bush either. In the very first opening chapters of Room for Love Carrie arrived at the Avalon Inn and instantly began to reminisce, taking the reader back in time too. The reader was invited inside Carrie's memories, back to a time when her grandmother was still alive and Carrie was just a young girl staying at the Avalon Inn. Sophie completely brought the Inn to life, including all the necessary smells, sights and sounds to create the perfect, idyllic image of childhood. Sophie also successfully included a whole 'disapproving father' aspect too, which in turn played a big role in Carrie's determination when it came to restoring her grandmother's home. Carrie wanted to prove everybody wrong. She wanted to ensure that she needed no help from anybody and could achieve whatever she wanted without people sticking their noses in and trying to help. She was an independent young woman trying to bring her dreams and visions to life. She had big plans for the Avalon Inn and I could just tell that she wasn't going to stop until she reached where she felt she needed to be.
Besides Carrie, there was a whole multitude of colorful, interesting characters to take into consideration, because not only is the narrative from Carrie's POV but it is also written from the gardener's POV too, who just happens to be a very attractive, dishy male named Nathaniel Green. Nate had been working at the Avalon Inn for years and had built a close-knit relationship with the rest of the staff as well as Carrie's grandmother Nancy. I really got a feeling of what some would call 'community spirit, as well as friendship, love and also loyalty. There's an absolute HEAP of fabulous characters included in Room for Love. It's almost as if the story itself is alive with happiness and laughter. I just couldn't get enough of the uplifting and positive feel that was spread throughout the story. Sophie conveyed it perfectly and I couldn't help but feel warm and cosy when reading about them all.
The renovation of the Avalon Inn itself was fantastic. I adored watching the rickety, crumbling building being restored and refreshed. One by one, each imperfection was dealt with, but that's not to say that there weren't any shifty problems that cropped up along the way. This all melted together to create a brilliant mish-mash of funny, entertaining and at times romantic plot that was such a joy to read.
All in all, I think Room for Love was a fantastic book that I really enjoyed reading. I was able to lose myself in the quick-moving plot and feel at one with Sophie's characters which is always a great feeling. I'm giving Room for Love a rating of four gold stars! It was sensational and I would definitely love to read more from the lovely author. She definitely has a smooth way with words, and Nate was just one of the many delights of this story.
August 12, 2016
As soon as I spotted Room For Love by Sophie Pembroke on Netgalley, I was very entraced by the pretty cover! Yes, I am a sucker for a good book cover – I just feel you can’t go wrong with a pretty looking book. I thought it sounded like an interesting read, too, and I couldn’t wait to dive in and see what I thought of the novel. I haven’t read any of Sophie’s previous novels, but after reading Room For Love I’ll definitely be looking out for the second and third books she’s releasing soon from Carina UK as this one was super enjoyable!
If there’s one thing that’s always a big hit with me in Chick Lit novels it’s big, stately homes. Especially big stately homes that are a bit of a wreck and need fixing up! ESPECIALLY big stately homes that are inherited by the family of the current owner, so Room For Love ticked all of those boxes! Although these inheritance novels are always slightly awkward – after all, Carrie wasn’t coming in to an empty guest house – it basically came with attachments; Nate the gardener, all the Seniors, Izzie the receptionist and Jacob the chef. She was walking into a potential frying pan, and she didn’t make the best first impression with her do-it-herself attitudes. I always admire a heroine who wants to do stuff herself, but I felt Carrie was a bit too standoffish with everyone who clearly knew the Avalon a heck of a lot better than she did, considering she hadn’t visited in months and the novel got considerably better when Carrie acknoweldged it was way too much for one person to manage. It’s hard to say you’re going to do things yourself when you have such selfless, willing people wanting to help you!
I thought the characters in Room For Love were the biggest draw for me. Sure I LOVED reading about the Avalon and desperately wanted to go visit (I love the idea of having LOADS of bedrooms and loads of other various rooms and a house so big you can get lost in it, it’s my dream if I ever win the lottery) but the characters were so warm and sweet! It took Carrie a while to get there, and to appreciate everyone else, but I appreciated them immediately. The Seniors – Cyb, Moira and Stan were hilarious and I loved their meddlings ways- even the recently departed Nancy was meddling from above since she left the gardens to Nate for as long as he wished. I love meddlesome old people. They always make me smile. And Nate! Oh, Nate. I loved him! So sweet, so charming, so caring, even when Carrie was being awful, all he wanted to do was help. Sigh. That pretty much summed up everyone in Room For Love – they all wanted to do their best for the Avalon, and these are the kinds of novels that get me the most because there’s a familiarity there between the characters, a camraderie, a sense of belonging, they’re a community. It just always warms my heart.
I very much enjoyed Room For Love. Pembroke has a wonderful writing style that I enjoyed immensely – I felt like I really got to know the characters, and I really got to see what life was like at Avalon Hall! The ending was probably my favourite bit, as it’s always nice to see the mean people get their comeuppance and boy does that occur here. I thought Carrie did a very nice job and kept a very cool head, and I very much enjoyed the whole Carrie and the Avalon versus the rest of the world vibe. I loved seeing the Avalon come back to life, under the guidance of Carrie and I loved the importance of everyone else who made the Avalon tick day in and day out. I can’t wait for the next book in the trilogy (which is a separate story as far as I’m aware) as Sophie Pembroke is a wonderful writer and I loved Room For Love.
If there’s one thing that’s always a big hit with me in Chick Lit novels it’s big, stately homes. Especially big stately homes that are a bit of a wreck and need fixing up! ESPECIALLY big stately homes that are inherited by the family of the current owner, so Room For Love ticked all of those boxes! Although these inheritance novels are always slightly awkward – after all, Carrie wasn’t coming in to an empty guest house – it basically came with attachments; Nate the gardener, all the Seniors, Izzie the receptionist and Jacob the chef. She was walking into a potential frying pan, and she didn’t make the best first impression with her do-it-herself attitudes. I always admire a heroine who wants to do stuff herself, but I felt Carrie was a bit too standoffish with everyone who clearly knew the Avalon a heck of a lot better than she did, considering she hadn’t visited in months and the novel got considerably better when Carrie acknoweldged it was way too much for one person to manage. It’s hard to say you’re going to do things yourself when you have such selfless, willing people wanting to help you!
I thought the characters in Room For Love were the biggest draw for me. Sure I LOVED reading about the Avalon and desperately wanted to go visit (I love the idea of having LOADS of bedrooms and loads of other various rooms and a house so big you can get lost in it, it’s my dream if I ever win the lottery) but the characters were so warm and sweet! It took Carrie a while to get there, and to appreciate everyone else, but I appreciated them immediately. The Seniors – Cyb, Moira and Stan were hilarious and I loved their meddlings ways- even the recently departed Nancy was meddling from above since she left the gardens to Nate for as long as he wished. I love meddlesome old people. They always make me smile. And Nate! Oh, Nate. I loved him! So sweet, so charming, so caring, even when Carrie was being awful, all he wanted to do was help. Sigh. That pretty much summed up everyone in Room For Love – they all wanted to do their best for the Avalon, and these are the kinds of novels that get me the most because there’s a familiarity there between the characters, a camraderie, a sense of belonging, they’re a community. It just always warms my heart.
I very much enjoyed Room For Love. Pembroke has a wonderful writing style that I enjoyed immensely – I felt like I really got to know the characters, and I really got to see what life was like at Avalon Hall! The ending was probably my favourite bit, as it’s always nice to see the mean people get their comeuppance and boy does that occur here. I thought Carrie did a very nice job and kept a very cool head, and I very much enjoyed the whole Carrie and the Avalon versus the rest of the world vibe. I loved seeing the Avalon come back to life, under the guidance of Carrie and I loved the importance of everyone else who made the Avalon tick day in and day out. I can’t wait for the next book in the trilogy (which is a separate story as far as I’m aware) as Sophie Pembroke is a wonderful writer and I loved Room For Love.
August 12, 2016
You know those books that allow you to enter their pages, float through their chapters, and close them with a smile on your face? That is just what you will get from this book. It is a light, fun romance that gives many heart flutters throughout (especially the singing scene- trust me).
I really loved the character of Carrie. Although you could see (from an outsider’s perspective) that she should gladly welcome the help of the wonderfully written seniors, I don’t think anyone among us wouldn’t battle to accomplish a task ourselves if we had been told adamantly that we could not do it by an important person in our lives. The romance is introduced, and fought from early in the pages, making the undeniable chemistry that much sweeter.
This is the second novel that I have read by Sophie Pembroke, and I am so happy to have discovered her for myself. Reading her stories is like a happy vacation into a chick-flick, and what lady doesn’t need that every now and again! This is the first novel in The Love Trilogy, and I am very excited to read more!
I really loved the character of Carrie. Although you could see (from an outsider’s perspective) that she should gladly welcome the help of the wonderfully written seniors, I don’t think anyone among us wouldn’t battle to accomplish a task ourselves if we had been told adamantly that we could not do it by an important person in our lives. The romance is introduced, and fought from early in the pages, making the undeniable chemistry that much sweeter.
This is the second novel that I have read by Sophie Pembroke, and I am so happy to have discovered her for myself. Reading her stories is like a happy vacation into a chick-flick, and what lady doesn’t need that every now and again! This is the first novel in The Love Trilogy, and I am very excited to read more!
August 30, 2016
Well, I have never met a sweeter hero! Nate is the gardener, sure, but he's also at innkeeper Carrie's beck and call when her inheritance - The Avalon - endures some hilarious emergencies. He is just determined to do right by Carrie and her grandmother's legacy, even if Carrie doesn't appreciate him.
This guy figures out how to get exotic purple roses the day before a wedding! He takes care of the drunk and hungover stag party friends, the elderly friends of the inn, the gardens, and most importantly, Carrie. He doesn't want anything in return, either. Well, he WANTS, he just doesn't EXPECT. :)
Carrie is a workaholic, out trying to prove she can do anything, do it herself, and do it well. She can, of course.... but the handsome gardener decides to help. And that, my friends, is the start of something beautiful... Funny, crazy, nostalgic, and beautiful.
NetGalley provided an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This guy figures out how to get exotic purple roses the day before a wedding! He takes care of the drunk and hungover stag party friends, the elderly friends of the inn, the gardens, and most importantly, Carrie. He doesn't want anything in return, either. Well, he WANTS, he just doesn't EXPECT. :)
Carrie is a workaholic, out trying to prove she can do anything, do it herself, and do it well. She can, of course.... but the handsome gardener decides to help. And that, my friends, is the start of something beautiful... Funny, crazy, nostalgic, and beautiful.
NetGalley provided an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2014
I so enjoyed this book! When Carrie inherits the inn she spent all her summers in as a child she knows she has her work cut out. It's in a terrible state of disrepair and it doesn't come with a large cash injection to get her started. But Carrie is stubborn and determined to use her experience as a wedding planner to turn the Inn into the perfect wedding venue to the horror of the locals who like the Avalon just the way it is, swirly carpets, peeling paint and all. Can she convince them - and sexy gardener Nate - that her plan will succeed and will she bury her pride long enough to accept a little help? Weddings, a plotting arch enemy, a charming but ramshackle setting, a trio of meddling but heart in the right place pensioners,a determined heroine and a gorgeous hero made this the perfect book to curl up with on a rainy day. Recommended.
May 20, 2014
Room for love was a delight to read, the book is about a wedding planner called Carrie Archer who inherits a run down inn. She decides to do up the inn and use it as a wedding venue for her business. Starting with planning her outings wedding whose wedding planner happens to be her bitchy ex-boss que drama. And of course a blossoming relationship with Nate a child hood sweetheart whom she can't forget or remember until there kiss! They way this book is written captivates you I can guarantee you will not put it down once you stop I devoured in 1 sitting. I look forward to more from Sophie Pembroke.
May 22, 2014
*Book provided by the publisher on NetGalley in exchange of an honest review*
The blurb of this book sounded great and I was happy to get a copy from NetGalley. Unfortunately it took me quite a while to get into the story. I had problems finding a relation tot he characters, especially Carrie.
Carrie is the main female character. She got her grandmother Nancy’s inn and now wants to turn it into a wedding reception place. She’s a wedding planner and finally found the courage to leave her job and evil boss.
Arriving at the inn she meets a lot of her grandma’s old friends and the hotel staff, like the receptionist Izzie, the chef Jacob and the gardener Nate. They all have to get used to each other first and they’re all not really sure what she wants to do with the inn.
The story is told in the 3rd person, changing between Carrie’s and Nate’s perspective. It first this wasn’t really clear, because it changed in between the chapters, which I don’t really like and I felt that as soon as a character had something to say, it changed to the other one, so the emotions didn’t really come through at times.
The whole background story though, with Carrie fighting for her inn, including all of her grandma’s friends was great to read about and I loved how they all wanted to help her out. She wanted to do it alone, but then her cousin Ruth wants to get married at the inn and everything has to go fast. Moreover, there is her mean ex-boss who tries to sabotage everything as well.
Nate is a real darling, wanting to help everywhere he can and also trying to find a solution behind Carries’ back (not a very good idea though).
Something develops between Nate and Carrie and it’s even connected to the past (a summer 14 years ago). Just one thing: A kiss was involved and I think the whole thing is really adorable. Carrie doesn’t want to let him in though and a lot of misunderstandings are to follow…
Nate is so sweet and romantic and he shares his love for her in many great and different ways ☺. It takes Carrie a while to accept that and also be true to herself. It’s a journey for her and she has to figure out what she really wants in life. It was lovely to follow her story and I really liked it in the end.
The drama is there as well, especially in the end, which was great!
Rating: 3.5
The blurb of this book sounded great and I was happy to get a copy from NetGalley. Unfortunately it took me quite a while to get into the story. I had problems finding a relation tot he characters, especially Carrie.
Carrie is the main female character. She got her grandmother Nancy’s inn and now wants to turn it into a wedding reception place. She’s a wedding planner and finally found the courage to leave her job and evil boss.
Arriving at the inn she meets a lot of her grandma’s old friends and the hotel staff, like the receptionist Izzie, the chef Jacob and the gardener Nate. They all have to get used to each other first and they’re all not really sure what she wants to do with the inn.
The story is told in the 3rd person, changing between Carrie’s and Nate’s perspective. It first this wasn’t really clear, because it changed in between the chapters, which I don’t really like and I felt that as soon as a character had something to say, it changed to the other one, so the emotions didn’t really come through at times.
The whole background story though, with Carrie fighting for her inn, including all of her grandma’s friends was great to read about and I loved how they all wanted to help her out. She wanted to do it alone, but then her cousin Ruth wants to get married at the inn and everything has to go fast. Moreover, there is her mean ex-boss who tries to sabotage everything as well.
Nate is a real darling, wanting to help everywhere he can and also trying to find a solution behind Carries’ back (not a very good idea though).
Something develops between Nate and Carrie and it’s even connected to the past (a summer 14 years ago). Just one thing: A kiss was involved and I think the whole thing is really adorable. Carrie doesn’t want to let him in though and a lot of misunderstandings are to follow…
Nate is so sweet and romantic and he shares his love for her in many great and different ways ☺. It takes Carrie a while to accept that and also be true to herself. It’s a journey for her and she has to figure out what she really wants in life. It was lovely to follow her story and I really liked it in the end.
The drama is there as well, especially in the end, which was great!
Rating: 3.5
May 28, 2014
Originally posted on Dreaming With Open Eyes
Raiting = 2.5 stars
I kindly received Room For Love in exchange of an honest review by the publisher via Netgalley.
Room For Love is the first book of the 'The Love Trilogy'. Book two A to Z Love will be out in June and Summer of Love, the third book in the trilogy will hit the digital shelfes in July this year.
The storyline is very simple. Carrie Archer, a wedding planner, inherits the Avalon Inn after her grandmothers death. She quits her job at 'Wedding Wishes' to escape from her evil boss to bring back the Inn to it's former glory and turn it into a wedding venue. The problem is that she has no capital to do the repairs. Without the help of friends or family she wants to magnage to renovate the Inn and finds investors because she need to prove it to herself that she can so something on her own. Her grandmother did not inherits Carrie the Avalon itself, also the residents of the inn, which include some seniors, the chef, the receptionist and Nate, the handsome gradener. The Avalon is their home and they want to keep it like it is. When Carries cousin deceided to get married at the Avalon by Christmas the coutdown is on. Can Carrie save the Avalon?
I really don't know what to say about this book. The book sounded good, and it had a pretty cover but this novel just not worked for me. I was about half way through and still not into the story. I had no problem to lay it down and don't bother about it anymore. And that's what I did. I put it down for a few days and gave it another chance kater. I finsih it but it had not an impact on me at all. I think the main problem for me was that I didn't liked Carrie very much. Therefor I liked the secondary even more. The seniors were just too lovely and Nate was not too bad either ;-) Anna, Carries evil boss, gave a great dose of drama to the story.
This is a kind of book I say about "It's not you, it's me". When I was reading reviews of Room For Love, everyone seemed to liken the book. I liked the idea of the story but I think it could have be done better.
Raiting = 2.5 stars
I kindly received Room For Love in exchange of an honest review by the publisher via Netgalley.
Room For Love is the first book of the 'The Love Trilogy'. Book two A to Z Love will be out in June and Summer of Love, the third book in the trilogy will hit the digital shelfes in July this year.
The storyline is very simple. Carrie Archer, a wedding planner, inherits the Avalon Inn after her grandmothers death. She quits her job at 'Wedding Wishes' to escape from her evil boss to bring back the Inn to it's former glory and turn it into a wedding venue. The problem is that she has no capital to do the repairs. Without the help of friends or family she wants to magnage to renovate the Inn and finds investors because she need to prove it to herself that she can so something on her own. Her grandmother did not inherits Carrie the Avalon itself, also the residents of the inn, which include some seniors, the chef, the receptionist and Nate, the handsome gradener. The Avalon is their home and they want to keep it like it is. When Carries cousin deceided to get married at the Avalon by Christmas the coutdown is on. Can Carrie save the Avalon?
I really don't know what to say about this book. The book sounded good, and it had a pretty cover but this novel just not worked for me. I was about half way through and still not into the story. I had no problem to lay it down and don't bother about it anymore. And that's what I did. I put it down for a few days and gave it another chance kater. I finsih it but it had not an impact on me at all. I think the main problem for me was that I didn't liked Carrie very much. Therefor I liked the secondary even more. The seniors were just too lovely and Nate was not too bad either ;-) Anna, Carries evil boss, gave a great dose of drama to the story.
This is a kind of book I say about "It's not you, it's me". When I was reading reviews of Room For Love, everyone seemed to liken the book. I liked the idea of the story but I think it could have be done better.
July 15, 2012
Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
When you're frustrated, broke, and inherit a childhood memory, what's a girl to do? The best she can, of course. What else is there? The Avalon is a place that Carrie once called home, a place she has so many memories of. Room for Love is an emotional and charming story about love, life, and new beginnings.
Carrie spends her days giving happily ever afters to people. She's surrounded by weddings, brides-to-be and frustrated, overbearing parents. Carrie has so much going for her, yet she's struggling. The Avalon could just be her break. Who would have thought all the people that came with the Avalon would soon be like a family to her? Carrie is a great character. She works hard, has big dreams. Readers can easily relate to her every day life situations.
Nate, the hero, is somewhat of a drifter. He doesn't stay around a place for long. He appears to have a past that's full of regret and a bit of heartache, but he comes across as a good man. He's uneasy of Carrie at first, considering she's the one that holds the key to his home's future. Nate is an all around decent guy. Sure, he's got his problems, but he is willing to lend a hand when in need, and cares for the people around him that he calls fiends and family. He's a good match for Carrie. The pair have a lot to bring to the table in a relationship, and they are both looking for the same thing, even though they don't realize it.
Room for Love is a contemporary story that warmed my heart. I like a good book that has a plot with inheriting a large place like an inn. They just appeal to me, and this story took my heart rather quickly. I have a soft spot for some of the great secondary characters that helped keep this story fresh and exiting.
If you love contemporaries, Why not make some room on your bookshelf for Room For Love?
When you're frustrated, broke, and inherit a childhood memory, what's a girl to do? The best she can, of course. What else is there? The Avalon is a place that Carrie once called home, a place she has so many memories of. Room for Love is an emotional and charming story about love, life, and new beginnings.
Carrie spends her days giving happily ever afters to people. She's surrounded by weddings, brides-to-be and frustrated, overbearing parents. Carrie has so much going for her, yet she's struggling. The Avalon could just be her break. Who would have thought all the people that came with the Avalon would soon be like a family to her? Carrie is a great character. She works hard, has big dreams. Readers can easily relate to her every day life situations.
Nate, the hero, is somewhat of a drifter. He doesn't stay around a place for long. He appears to have a past that's full of regret and a bit of heartache, but he comes across as a good man. He's uneasy of Carrie at first, considering she's the one that holds the key to his home's future. Nate is an all around decent guy. Sure, he's got his problems, but he is willing to lend a hand when in need, and cares for the people around him that he calls fiends and family. He's a good match for Carrie. The pair have a lot to bring to the table in a relationship, and they are both looking for the same thing, even though they don't realize it.
Room for Love is a contemporary story that warmed my heart. I like a good book that has a plot with inheriting a large place like an inn. They just appeal to me, and this story took my heart rather quickly. I have a soft spot for some of the great secondary characters that helped keep this story fresh and exiting.
If you love contemporaries, Why not make some room on your bookshelf for Room For Love?
April 11, 2016
Firstly thank you to Carina for a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
I first read some of Sophie’s work at the start of the year, her two Harper Impulse titles, and knew after enjoying both of those that I wanted to read more from this author. I have had this on my TBR for some time but knew I had to start it pretty soon. Sophie did not disappoint.
This story focuses mainly on Carrie Archer as she goes back to the Inn she grew up in, this time as the owner. Her grandmother has left her the Inn and Carrie is determined to prove everyone from her dad to her boss wrong, that she can and will bring the Inn back to life and make it successful.
I believed her. I loved the premise of this book. It’s something you can really tune your imagination into because the story progression runs in tandem with the regeneration of the Inn and for me that was something I could envisage clearly and could easily imagine myself in Carrie’s shoes. Carrie’s determination and independence is a bit like cutting her nose off to spite her face at some times but it’s so deeply imbedded in her that she has to do this, that she has to be successful.
The cast of supporting characters, including the other main character and narrator Nate, round out the story, it flows well as the renovation of the hotel runs alongside the storyline of the first wedding Carrie expects to hold. Every turn seems to bring some other hurdle for Carrie to overcome, especially towards the end of the book where the most pressure is upon her.
The story between Carrie and Nate is secondary to the main theme and takes a back seat throughout. There is an old chemistry between them which is sweet but Carrie’s reluctance to allow anyone in hinders their chances in the beginning.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series which is called The A-Z of Love. Fans of Cathy Bramley, Hester Browne and Sophie Kinsella will enjoy this series.
I first read some of Sophie’s work at the start of the year, her two Harper Impulse titles, and knew after enjoying both of those that I wanted to read more from this author. I have had this on my TBR for some time but knew I had to start it pretty soon. Sophie did not disappoint.
This story focuses mainly on Carrie Archer as she goes back to the Inn she grew up in, this time as the owner. Her grandmother has left her the Inn and Carrie is determined to prove everyone from her dad to her boss wrong, that she can and will bring the Inn back to life and make it successful.
I believed her. I loved the premise of this book. It’s something you can really tune your imagination into because the story progression runs in tandem with the regeneration of the Inn and for me that was something I could envisage clearly and could easily imagine myself in Carrie’s shoes. Carrie’s determination and independence is a bit like cutting her nose off to spite her face at some times but it’s so deeply imbedded in her that she has to do this, that she has to be successful.
The cast of supporting characters, including the other main character and narrator Nate, round out the story, it flows well as the renovation of the hotel runs alongside the storyline of the first wedding Carrie expects to hold. Every turn seems to bring some other hurdle for Carrie to overcome, especially towards the end of the book where the most pressure is upon her.
The story between Carrie and Nate is secondary to the main theme and takes a back seat throughout. There is an old chemistry between them which is sweet but Carrie’s reluctance to allow anyone in hinders their chances in the beginning.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series which is called The A-Z of Love. Fans of Cathy Bramley, Hester Browne and Sophie Kinsella will enjoy this series.
March 20, 2015
If you’re looking for a charming, easy read with fun characters and a sweet romance this might just be for you. Pairing a stubborn, determined heroine with an equally stubborn and determined hero, this story is sweet and fun. Carrie is focused without ever being overbearing, while Nate is helpful without being controlling. They make a great team – when they can leave their other issues aside. But luckily this story isn’t just about them. The inn is packed with characters, mostly notably the three Seniors who’ve commandeered the facilities most nights of the week and aren’t in any hurry to see things change, but are also willing to pitch in to do whatever they can to help save the Avalon.
With financial troubles, building woes and the pressures of putting on a wedding they’re not at all ready for, there’s always plenty going on in this book, whether it’s Nate stepping in to drive off dishonest tradesmen, the Seniors sneaking around to get things done without Carrie noticing or Carrie herself going up against her biggest doubters, this book has as much charm as the Avalon itself.
Sweet and enjoyable, this is a perfect escape into the Welsh countryside that demands nothing more from the reader than a smile along the way.
(I received a free copy of this book as part of the Love Trilogy in return for an honest review.)
With financial troubles, building woes and the pressures of putting on a wedding they’re not at all ready for, there’s always plenty going on in this book, whether it’s Nate stepping in to drive off dishonest tradesmen, the Seniors sneaking around to get things done without Carrie noticing or Carrie herself going up against her biggest doubters, this book has as much charm as the Avalon itself.
Sweet and enjoyable, this is a perfect escape into the Welsh countryside that demands nothing more from the reader than a smile along the way.
(I received a free copy of this book as part of the Love Trilogy in return for an honest review.)
May 16, 2014
Room for Love, Sophie Pembroke
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
This sounded fun, but proved to be a bit light and fluffy for me, lacking real depth and drama. Still, there's lots of readers who love a novel like this, easy to read, a HEA and some fun and humour within the story.
I think one of the problems I had was I didn't really like Carrie. I loved the oldies, and Jacob and Izzie, and of course delicious lovely Nate, but Carrie...well she seemed to me really ungrateful at all the help she was getting. She was so focussed on doing things alone that she was unappreciative of all the thinks the others did, to the point of rudeness at times. I did love the awful, bitchy ex boss Anna, she provided the right person for lots of little incidents, and Carrie's cousin Ruth was lovely too, but all in all this is just an OK read for me, a one off only. As ever though we all want different thinks and that’s worth remembering, as other readers won't be looking for the things I do in their reading.
Stars: three, well written, easy to read novel.
ARC supplied via Netgalley
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
This sounded fun, but proved to be a bit light and fluffy for me, lacking real depth and drama. Still, there's lots of readers who love a novel like this, easy to read, a HEA and some fun and humour within the story.
I think one of the problems I had was I didn't really like Carrie. I loved the oldies, and Jacob and Izzie, and of course delicious lovely Nate, but Carrie...well she seemed to me really ungrateful at all the help she was getting. She was so focussed on doing things alone that she was unappreciative of all the thinks the others did, to the point of rudeness at times. I did love the awful, bitchy ex boss Anna, she provided the right person for lots of little incidents, and Carrie's cousin Ruth was lovely too, but all in all this is just an OK read for me, a one off only. As ever though we all want different thinks and that’s worth remembering, as other readers won't be looking for the things I do in their reading.
Stars: three, well written, easy to read novel.
ARC supplied via Netgalley
July 8, 2014
This is the first book I've read by this author, and I really enjoyed it. The story was well thought out and the characters felt real. Real enough for me to get mad at Carrie from time to time for her stubbornness. :) Yes, it follows the typical chick lit formula complete with happy ending, but why else would we read it?
I actually like this book enough to say that I think it would make a really cute rom-com, especially because it has the element of the necessary evil villain. That Anna bloody Yardly was definitely something else, if not evil. Glad to see her antics didn't get her anywhere.
But yes, great read, great for the beach or a summer vacation or staycation. :)
I will definitely read more from this author!
I actually like this book enough to say that I think it would make a really cute rom-com, especially because it has the element of the necessary evil villain. That Anna bloody Yardly was definitely something else, if not evil. Glad to see her antics didn't get her anywhere.
But yes, great read, great for the beach or a summer vacation or staycation. :)
I will definitely read more from this author!
June 23, 2014
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great story about new beginnings. I loved the storyline of the main characters. With hilarious moments it makes a fun read. The supporting characters bring life to the story as well and could easily have their own book. Can't wait to read more from this author.
This was a great story about new beginnings. I loved the storyline of the main characters. With hilarious moments it makes a fun read. The supporting characters bring life to the story as well and could easily have their own book. Can't wait to read more from this author.
December 30, 2014
A cute, fun, and romantic read!
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