Don’t Go Baking My Heart

The Cornish Cream Tea Bus #1

by Cressida McLaughlin

Baking fanatic, Charlie Quilter, is surprised when her late uncle bequeaths his vintage bus to her in his will. Charlie thinks it will be the perfect mobile café for afternoon tea, and when her friend, Juliette, suggests Charlie comes to stay with her in the picturesque Cornish village of Porthgolow, she’s thrilled at the chance of a new start.
Charlie and her cute dog, Marmite, make new friends wherever their bus stops – except for the attractive but reclusive owner of the posh spa up on the hill, Daniel Harper, who isn’t very pleased that her bus is parked outside his lovely hotel.
Has Charlie’s Cornish dream developed a soggy bottom? Or can she convince Daniel that her bus could be the start of something wonderful for the little village – and for them?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, British Literature, Fiction

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 11, 2019

About the author

I grew up in London surrounded by books and with a cat named after Lawrence of Arabia. I studied English Literature at the University of East Anglia and live in Norwich with my husband David.

I'm a total book nerd and my TBR pile is out of control. I would quite like to be a ghost hunter, and I'm a huge fan of a fictional hero.

When I'm not writing, I spend my spare time reading, returning to London or exploring the beautiful Norfolk coastline.

I love hearing from readers, so please get in touch if you have a question or if you just want to say hello.

Reviews

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this, it’s a fun, fast read. The characters are loveable, warm and appealing. I loved Charlie so much and Marmite looks like he’s going to be lots of mischief ! My only criticism it ending too soon and I have to wait for part two. Another wonderful, entertaining read by Cressida, if you need something to make you smile, to feel warm inside pick up one of her books.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was eagerly awaiting a new novel or series by Cressida McLaughlin, her novels are brilliant and I can never put them down! So when I saw the cover of this on Amazon I couldn't wait to read it. I absolutely adore the colours used - such bright pastel colours used on the bus, the bright yellow sand, sunshiny blue sky and the cute bunting along the top makes such a lovely cover and makes me want to visit wherever that cover was based on! I also love that at the start of each chapter there is a cute little teacup!

The story starts off quite sadly, with Charlie and her dad working on the old bus and feeling quite emotional as they've just lost a loved one. However, you can feel how close they were to Hal and how close they are as father and daughter and it was quite a nice opening. The story gets moving quite quickly, so soon we're enjoying Charlie taking Gertie out for a test run at a fair, to see how people react. Most of Hal's old friends aren't too impressed, and after a minor disaster strikes, Charlie is left feeling quite deflated. Her boss orders her to take some time off, and so Charlie decides to go down to Porthgolow to visit best friend Juliette and to get a break away from everything else.

Porthgolow sounded so idyllic and not for the first time throughout Cressida's novels I'm wishing that I could live or visit some place just like that! The story absolutely flew by, and once Charlie moved to Porthgolow I really started loving it and didn't want it to end! I loved the new characters, the new location, and everything that was changing with Gertie was just so exciting! I simply cannot wait to see what happens next in this series. It's absolutely fabulous and I urge you to give it a read.

Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read this novel via Netgalley, which I have reviewed honestly.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely and heartwarming read!

This is part one of a series and the main character, Charlie, is left a vintage bus by her Uncle Hal so she puts it to good use serving cream teas in an idyllic seaside village in Cornwall.

The characters were well drawn by new-to-me author Cressida McLaughlin, and were extremely warm and real. Even though bakeries, tea and coffee shops and pretty coastal Cornish settings are very much tried and tested in the literary sense, the vintage bus added a different dimension that gave the beginning of this series some uniqueness, the promise of originality and its essence. With humour, romance and a winsome holiday setting, this one is highly recommended and I am looking forward to seeing how the series develops.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from HarperCollins UK via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Kirsty Oughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is only the first part of ‘The Cornish Cream Tea Bus’ but I know from just reading the first part I will love the full story.

We meet Charlie who works really hard in The Cafe on the Hill, so much so she never takes a break. Her boss and best friend Juliette finally persuaded her to take a break and stay with Juliette in the seaside village of Porthgolow. She travels there with her dog Marmite (he sounds so cute!) in a bus that she inherited from her uncle. Charlie has some ambitious plans to turn the bus into a cafe. Well what could possibly go wrong?

Before Charlie even travels to stay with Juliette there was so much drama packed into the first few chapters. The storyline is quite emotional to start with as we see Charlie and her family grieving. However Cressida soon picks up the mood of the story when we get to the interesting seaside village of Porthgolow. I for one loved how Cressida introduced the various characters to the story such as Juliette and Lawrence. Some very unique people who live and work in the village and not forgetting the mysterious Daniel!

I found Cressida’s writing witty and there were moments I found myself smiling as I was reading. I am definitely intrigued to know what will happen next so now I’m off to request the second part of this beautifully written story. I don’t often read a book in parts however I just couldn’t possibly wait for the full book to be published! 😊 I give ‘The Cornish Cream Tea Bus- Don’t Go Baking My Heart’ a very deserving 5*/5* ❤️

Thank you to HarperCollins for an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Christine Galletly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good ‘short’ story or it seemed to be short as I whizzed through it!

I really enjoyed everything about this book, the cover was lovely and it was a very enjoyable, easy read and I thought that the characters were well developed and I loved getting to know them.

This was an excellent start to a new mini-series and I can’t wait to find out what happens in book 2! It is 5 stars from me for this one, I thoroughly enjoyed it – 5 stars!!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick light read but very engaging.

[Akhila Ganti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This start of a series follows Charlie, baker by heart and soul, at the cross-roads of having lost her uncle, a break-up and forced sabbatical for her own good. After reluctantly accepting her friend's invitation to visit - she ventures into this town where her dreams and spirits slowly find new avenue.
This novella is quite a quick read - one does experience the true small town vibes in the writing, the way everyone knows and cares for each other.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely first installment of a new series. A vintage double decker bus, freshly baked cakes and a small dog - what is there not to like. What will develop with Daniel? Thoroughly enjoyed it and looking forward to the next installment already. Love Cressidas writing - she writes the most perfect feel good stories.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow I just loved every minute of part one of Cressida McLaughlin's new series The Cornish Cream Tea Bus. I knew from the first two or three pages that this book was special and that I was going to thoroughly enjoy it. I got that buzz, which seems to be rarer for me these days, and feeling more or less instantaneously that Charlie Quilter's story was one which was going to really get under my skin and not let go until I have read the final word. I say read the final word because as this is only part one, I still have three more sections to savour and enjoy. Although taking your time with this story is not an option given its short length and the fact that you want to keep rapidly turning the pages to see what is going to happen. The only fault I found with the story is with the title, although I think it is quirky, and I totally get the reference to the famous song where it connects to part one I wasn't sure at all or did I totally miss something? But aside from that and let's face it the title didn't really impact on me or affect my reading of the story I found part one to be an excellent read.

Why did I love my introduction to Charlie so much? Several reasons, the first being the wonderful descriptions that the author is known for. She has this unique ability to describe things so well without endless detail. A paragraph or two may suffice as every word is chosen with care and the images created easily slip into your mind so you feel that you are there alongside Charlie as she takes a brave new step in her life. Another reason I quickly embraced this story is that there was literally no messing around with pointless back story or filler in scenes just to set up the overall plot of the book. I find this a regular occurrence in books which have been split into parts and therefore some parts are far stronger than others. Thankfully this wasn't the case here at all, we were straight into the action and the reader could easily keep track of what was going on as in another bonus there wasn't a heap of characters introduced all at once. Which then results in you struggling to keep track of who is who and what is actually going on with them. No, the author got straight down to business and I was so thankful for that because it meant part one was action packed with no lulls and so much occurring. Yes, I think I know already what final direction the story may venture in but who cares it's more about the journey and experiencing all this with Charlie. The romance element has popped up fairly early on but I'm sure the will they/won't they aspect will flow through the three remaining parts.

Charlie receives a letter from her Uncle Hal following his death which informs her that she has inherited his old bus Gertie, a 1960's Routemaster, a double decker which was his pride and joy although it is badly need of refurbishment. He tells her to live her life to the full as you only get one chance and to make the most of any opportunities that are presented to her and to always do what is right for her. Wise words but will Charlie taken them to heart. Charlie is devastated by the loss of Hal and questions is there any point in taking his advice but following an incident at a local festival where really she only had the best of intentions Charlie decides to leave her home town and take up her friends Juliette's offer. She decides to come and stay with her in the coastal Cornish village of Porthgolow and with her comes Gertie who she then decides to have refurbished. Having worked at a local café in her home town Charlie has the clever idea of turning the bus into a mobile café -The Cornish Cream Tea Bus. As soon as it is ready she has given herself the challenge of turning the fortunes of Porthgolow around.

I thought it was brilliant that we didn't have the usual Cornish village bustling with tourists and things going so well during the summer months that the residents could afford to sit back a little during the winter months. Despite its charm and the picturesque coastline, Porthgolow was a village in trouble and being an outsider looking in Charlie could see this. It gave fuel to the fire which had already been ignited when she created the challenge for herself to transform the bus and make a go of things. She feels she can do the same for the village but would the residents prefer to stumble along the way they have for so long. It's a beautiful place that is not being truly loved and showcased, Charlie feels that she is an asset and meant to be there. She can see such potential and visualise how everyone's fortunes could change but with a huge, luxury hotel recently opened nearby is she battling against the big guns and will it be to no avail.

I loved the introduction of some of the residents of Porthgolow. There was just enough information about them to arouse my interest and I was glad to see that they weren't all rammed down our throats on a single page. I sense we'll get to know a lot more about them in the remaining parts similar to the way Charlie will become more familiar with them now she has made the decision to stay and make a go of things. I thought she was mature and brave to realise and come to an understanding that up until this point she had been doing too much at once, that she needs time to rest and to heal and by getting away from everything she will hopefully find the new perspective she desperately needs. By doing this, arriving in Porthgolow and seeing things from an outsider's perspective, she becomes determined to turn things around and has given herself the challenge which she didn't realise she needed which will ultimately help her in the healing process. I for one can't wait to see how she will set about achieving this.

Part Two The Eclair Affair publishes at the end of June and I will be first in the queue to read it. I don't think I have been buzzing so much about a book from Cressida since the Primrose Terrace series, although I have loved them all, but everything was just so brilliant and the vibe and atmosphere emanating from the book was one to be savoured.

[Agi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Don't Go Baking My Heart" is a brilliant title, I love it, although I couldn't spot its interrelatedness to the story - apologies if I missed something. It is also the first of a new 4 - part series and even though I usually don't read books in series but I rather wait for them to be published as a gorgeous paperback, it's from Cressida McLaughlin, and so I though, this time I can't wait. I have to read it. So there.
The story follows a simple and already known formula but it works, guys, it works brilliantly! Charlie, our main character, is simply great, so determined and funny, and the author couldn't take a better character to play a reading role in this book. After her beloved uncle's death, Charlie has been left his vintage bus. To keep his memory alive, she decides to turn Gertie into a bus cafe, and I loved the final result. Soon Charlie takes her new bus on a test run, to see how things work, and after a very minor disaster Charlie finds herself taking a sabbatical (or rather, being forced to take sabbatical), travelling with Gertie to her best friend Juliette in Porthgolow and causing problems there.

I think I can predict the direction the story is going to turn, and there is romance in the air as well, but it absolutely doesn't bother me. It was a feel - good, humorous novella, a great introduction to the series and I will be for sure reading the next instalments. And I know I don't gush over covers enough lately, but this one so deserves a standing ovation - it's simply beautiful and so eye - catching, it's a shame that it's an ebook cover.

The pace of the story was great, things were moving really quickly and there was not a single moment flat. The setting was gorgeous, and I love the sound of Porthgolow, with its streets and suspicious residents. Cressida's descriptions are so, so vivid, she brings the colours, places and characters so easily to life. Can't wait for the next part!

Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I loved this book! This is part one of the Cornish Cream Tea Bus book, which was originally realised as a serialisation in four parts. I've read some of the later books in the series but I've never gone back to where it all started. As this is part one, it's only a little short read. You can now read it as one complete book, but I think it's quite nice to read it in parts as they're perfect for reading in one cosy sitting!

We meet Charlie who has just inherited Gertie, an old London Routemaster Bus, following the death of her dear Uncle. She decides to stay with friends in Cornwall for the summer, taking Gertie with her. I loved her grand plans to turn the old bus into a cafe and never doubted for a minute that she wouldn't succeed with her these! Charlie is a great character and so likeable. I also liked the local luxury clifftop owner, Daniel and despite his misgivings about Charlie and her bus, it was obvious there would be a friendship developing between them!

As it's only the first part, the storyline has been nicely set up for more fun, romance and cream teas in the other parts of the serialisation. Of course, that doesn't mean we're not treated to some tasty offerings of what Charlie plans to offer on the bus, and I have to admit that her scones and cakes made my mouth water throughout! This is such a lovely read that you couldn't help but be hooked into it from the very first page. Absolutely delightful, and I would definitely recommend it, however you read it - in parts or as the whole book!

[Eve L-A Witherington · Rating 5 out of 5]

After losing her uncle Hal, he leaves Charlie his beloved bus, Gertie.



After breaking up with her boyfriend Stuart and her beloved uncle, her best friend Juliette comes back from Cornwall where she lives and alongside Charlie's dad and boss try to get her to take a break and have a holiday as she throws herself instantly into making Gertie a success and have her uncle Hal be proud of her for keeping the bus going now he's gone.



After a first disaster, she and her dog Marmite end up in Portgollow where Juliette lives. The area is a bit ran down and in need of revival, however there's the matter of Crystal Waters, a high end spa ran by Daniel.



Not everyone is welcoming to Charlie, Marmite and Gertie but can they change their minds?



I love the idea of keeping and using a vintage bus as a cafe it's absolute genius and I wish it existed. Even early on the chemistry is building between her and Daniel and the Cornish village life looks set to get vibrant, I am hooked and primed for the next instalment!



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the charming cover of this story, but why is the bus on the cover a single-decker, when Gertie is supposed to be a Routemaster double-decker bus? This slight confusion aside, this is a promising start to a new series set in Cornwall, perfect for the holiday season.

Charlie had a special connection with her uncle when he dies and leaves her, his bus, she knows she has to keep it, but can she do something with it? Her first attempt is gutsy but fraught with difficulty, but with the help of some positive comments from her mysterious stranger, she tries again in Cornwall.

The characters are warm and real, and even though baking, tea shops and coastal Cornish settings are well used in literature, the bus adds a different dimension that gives the series, the promise of originality. There is a conflict with the upmarket spa and a delicate balancing act to win the approval of the locals. This promises to have humour, romance and a lovely holiday setting. Looking forward to seeing how it develops.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Collins - Harper Fiction via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cressida McLaughlin's books are always a great read. I knew I was in for a treat with the first instalment of The Cornish Cream Tea Bus. Cakes, beaches, and romance are my perfect story.
Charlie is a Baker for her local cafe. When her beloved Uncle dies, she inherits his vintage bus. She knows that she wants to keep it on the road, and comes up with the idea of turning it into a mobile tearoom.
After a few problems, she finds herself on a visit to her friends in Cornwall, and decides to give the tearoom a trial on the local beach. There is opposition from some of the residents, especially the local hotel owner.
This was well written and very enjoyable. The perfect holiday read.
I am looking forward to reading the next installments of this series I hope that there is not too long until the next part.

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 of a 4 part book series, been wanting to read this set of books for ages. Note to readers, you can either read this as a 4 part book series like I’m going to or there is a full length novel which includes all of the 4 parts should you prefer to read it in that format.

So this was a good start to the series, introducing the characters, giving us a feel for them and the relevant background required at this point. I’m definitely enjoying it already, loving the adorable puppy Marmite, well cute name and I’m looking forward to seeing how Charlie succeeds with Gertie as time goes on, I mean she’s certainly off to a good start already.

Without further ado, I’m heading straight into part 2, ‘The Eclair Affair’, that’s one very interesting title for a book, wonder if it will live up to its name.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to the next ones in the series.

Charlie works as a bakery in a little cafe on a hill, she loves her job and loves baking. She has a Little yorkipoo called Marmite who is adorable!

Charlie is left her uncles double decker bus, and although she doesn’t want to gives tour of the area like he did, she also can’t part with it. With a broken relationship and a broken heart from losing her uncle she decides that she is going to turn the bus into a tea room!

She moves into a little village in Cornwall with her best friend and plans to open her business, not all the villagers are friendly, but she is determined to make it work. Even the very handsome owner of the spa hotel has his doubts, but turns up at her grand opening!

The big question is, can Charlie make it work and move forward with her life?

[Ellie (bookmadbarlow) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amusing start to this series of novellas that will eventually make up The Cornish Cream Tea Bus. This was again a perfect choice for me, I needed something lighthearted and this was it. I love Marmite the dog already and enjoy that the author always includes at least one dog in her books. I can't wait to get my hands on the next part so I can find out what happens. The area of Porthgolow sounds amazing and I liked that the author helped me conjure up images of the Cornish coastline. I think I will now wait until the rest of the books are released so I can read in one go, as just when it was getting started it finished.
My thanks to Netgalley for the ecopy of this in exchange for an honest review

[Petra Quelch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cornish Cream Tea Bus (Don't Go Baking My Heart ) is an absolute gem of a read. Cressida McLaughlin has created another series that is sparkly, fun, gorgeous and hearty.
I fell in love with the picturesque Porthgolow as soon as Charlie parked up her Routemaster bus (Gertie) and took one look at the coastal town with has so much potential for her new venture.
And of course, there are some characters that will pull at your heart and make you want to pack up your bags and book yourself a holiday on the Cornish north coast this summer.
I loved reading the first part of Cressida's new series and can not wait to get my mitts on the next one.

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had seen a lot of hype on social media regarding this book and couldn’t wait to read it and so I pre-ordered all four parts straight away!!
The book is being released in four novella style parts and I honestly think that this will make it more manageable to read.
Charlie inherits an old double decker bus from her Uncle Hal and has the crazy idea to turn it into an authentic Cornish Cream Tea Bus Cafè!
When Charlie sets up an Instagram account for the bus the nosey side of me wondered if it was a real account and low and behold it is a real life account and I think that is amazing, it makes the story more interactive.
This first part of the book introduces us to all the characters and sets up the story nicely.

[Katey Lovell · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's something captivating about Cressida McLaughlin's books - the warm yet fallible characters, the glorious settings and the delicious descriptive passages pure escapism. This first instalment of The Cornish Cream Tea Bus is no exception. From protagonist Charlie's first food fair through to her decision to make a real go of her new venture in Cornwall, this is a charming story... and I must admit to being attracted to spa owner Daniel (and loving Charlie's pup Marmite!) Can't wait to see what happens next!

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea of an old Routemaster used for taking afternoon tea, I've often been tempted to book on one of the tours in London. I enjoyed this starter novella and I'm looking forward to seeing if Abby's plans to help reinvigorate the village of Porthgolow bear fruit and if she manages to make a go of her new fledgling business. Likeable characters and a few laughs along the way make this a cosy, fun read.

[Kim Melbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely, easy to read feel good book.
Charlie has inherited Gertie, an aging double decker bus that uncle Hal used to use for sight seeing day trips.
Charlie is recovering from her break up with her boyfriend as well uncle hals death.
On a holiday to beautiful Cornwall, taking Gertie with her she develops the idea of combing her passion with baking and that of her love for bus. Result.......the Cornish cream tea.
Can't wait for the next instalment.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful new series. Charlie is left an old bus in her uncles will and decides to try and make a living turning it into a cream tea bus and taking it to Cornwall. It sounds so idyllic that you want t0 look for it whilst you are on holiday in Cornwall.
A friends relation has a business with a café in a railway carriage and more recently a double decker bus aswell- and this series has made me more keen to travel down and eat there.
I just loved every page

[Bekha Youmans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love books by this author and this one didn’t fail to disappoint. The story behind the cream tea bus is amazing what more could you want a vintage bus serving tea, cakes and scones in a idolic area of the country with amazing views, couldn’t get any better if you dreamed it. Or could it, maybe bumping into a tall, hot shot hotel owner. Can’t wait to see the relationship of Daniel and Charlie begin and see where the bus tours

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
Having read most of cressida's books I was absolutely delighted to get this one early
A Double decker bus cream teas and Cornwall what more could you want in a book this really was a SCRUMDIDLYUMPTIOUS read I can highly recommend.

[Mel Garraghan-Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gleam in her eye.

Part one of The Cornish Cream Tea Bus begins with the sadness of bereavement. Ann old bus is left to Charlie in her uncles will but now she has to decide what do with it.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story about a vintage bus called Gerti,being left to Charlie by her Uncle Hal. It comes at a time when Charilies life is in bits after a break up in her relationship. This is the first of four books in the series and I am diving straight into no.2 tomorrow. I can't wait.

[MRS CHRISTINE SITTON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

As usual from Cressida once I started I couldn't put it down. Love the story of the red bus and can imagine it parked up on the beach. Looking forward to the next one. So relaxing and enjoyable

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t Go Baking My Heart by Cressida McLaughlin. A fabulous feel good read. I loved it. Loved Charlie. There were some characters that I didn't like. I'm looking forward to the next book. I loved the cover too. 5*.

[mrs avril l murrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cornish Cream Tea Bus

Easy read book, lovely characters. Hal leaving the bus to his niece and the challenges she goes through to change the bus to accommodate a working cafe. Going to Cornwall for a holiday and end up being on a working holiday.