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The Stromness Dinner
Ed fits kitchens in the small family business in London, and he’s wondering if there isn’t more to life. So when Marcus, a client in banking, offers him an extra job refurbishing a cottage in Stromness, he thinks, why not? Orkney is certainly a welcome change of scene from Bermondsey, and the work’s easy enough. Then Marcus’ sister Claire arrives, all city power and perfume, and events take an unexpected turn. The Stromness Dinner is an offbeat, entirely readable novel about relationships. Beautifully observed and gently humorous, it is a very human and contemporary story about how we live today, and what happens when two people follow their dreams. Peter Benson has created a new sort of ‘hero’ in Ed Beech, whose homespun philosophy of life stays in the memory long after the novel ends.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
8 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Peter Benson
50 books11 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Peter Benson was born in 1956 in Kent, UK and is the award-winning author of seven novels. His work has been described as ‘a far-reaching exploration into unlikely relationships’ and is characterised by the precision of its language, characterisations and approach.
Peter Benson was born in 1956 in Kent, UK and is the award-winning author of seven novels. His work has been described as ‘a far-reaching exploration into unlikely relationships’ and is characterised by the precision of its language, characterisations and approach.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
dnf
February 9, 2023Not bad in any way. Just not my cup of tea.
November 9, 2021
What a delightful, genuine, and heartwarming book! Picture this: a builder named Ed Beech, who, along with his father, does plastering, joinery, building and decorating, meets up one day with a wealthy banker named Marcus. Marcus is a good guy and appreciates quality work. So when his father dies, he asks Ed to get his father’s house in Orkney ready to market.
Ed is an uncomplicated fellow. He gets anxious around large ships and has never been far from home. He likes Marcus, though, and he particularly likes Marcus’ sister, Claire, a city financier, who is way out his league. In fact, he is positively enchanted with her.
Peter Benson bets the farm, so to speak, on his readers becoming absorbed in Ed’s earnest voice. The sentences connote a simple world view, but also they have nuggets of wisdom and lyricism to them. We see Orkney through Ed’s eyes, and that includes the inhabitants, the local sites, the food (Ed is quite the cook) and oh yes, the magnificent sunsets.
Most of all, we see how grounded Ed is in the things that matter – family closeness, being a person of one’s word, and doing a good job. One senses that it is only Ed’s lack of education, not an intrinsic flaw, that makes him less able to grasp, say, economic or historical issues. We want Ed to succeed with Claire, who is a sociologically-defined success, but is yearning for something fuller and deeper. We are rooting for them. And ultimately, we agree with Ed’s conclusion: paradise lives in our heads so it can be anywhere and with anyone.
Ed is an uncomplicated fellow. He gets anxious around large ships and has never been far from home. He likes Marcus, though, and he particularly likes Marcus’ sister, Claire, a city financier, who is way out his league. In fact, he is positively enchanted with her.
Peter Benson bets the farm, so to speak, on his readers becoming absorbed in Ed’s earnest voice. The sentences connote a simple world view, but also they have nuggets of wisdom and lyricism to them. We see Orkney through Ed’s eyes, and that includes the inhabitants, the local sites, the food (Ed is quite the cook) and oh yes, the magnificent sunsets.
Most of all, we see how grounded Ed is in the things that matter – family closeness, being a person of one’s word, and doing a good job. One senses that it is only Ed’s lack of education, not an intrinsic flaw, that makes him less able to grasp, say, economic or historical issues. We want Ed to succeed with Claire, who is a sociologically-defined success, but is yearning for something fuller and deeper. We are rooting for them. And ultimately, we agree with Ed’s conclusion: paradise lives in our heads so it can be anywhere and with anyone.
April 3, 2021
I’d never read Peter Benson before, and I chose this book due to the location—the Orkney Islands. I’ve always wanted to go there, and did make it to Scotland, but to go to Orkney or the Shetlands is a major trip in itself. Benson’s novel truly installed me there, with the protagonist, Ed Beech, a gentle giant of a guy, a builder with a love of cooking. He lives in Bermondsey (Southeast London), and after doing some work for Marcus, a wealthy businessman, Ed is invited to work on the businessman’s recently buried father’s house, to get it in shape for sale. Ed packs his truck and takes off for Stromness in the Orkney Islands for two weeks of work. The narrative covers primarily those two weeks. It’s a real sleeper of a tale--or should be. Witty and wonderful.
Benson’s story isn’t a big, splashy suspense tale or epic drama. Rather, it is a finely tuned, spare and tersely written narrative about what is possible for two people from disparate worlds. The book blurb doesn’t spoil the reader’s discovery, so I won’t, either. I’ll just say that it was a delight to read. Benson carves out an atmospheric and intimate tale of people reaching out, even when others don’t.
There’s a mini-mystery about a missing bowl, too, one worth twenty thousand pounds and made by Lucie Rie. The landscape is authentic, as well as all the places the book takes you, like the Neolithic Standing Stones of Stenness near Stromness, and the monolithic Setter Stone.
Don’t be surprised if you also get hungry, with the delicious and hearty meals that Ed cooks up or eats elsewhere. And his new friendship with Marcus’ sister, Claire, is fetching and organic, in keeping with the intimate atmosphere of the book. Their meals are delicious and they go on small adventures; occasionally, Ed has to face his fears of big hulking ships and farm animals. He regrets his poor performance as a student, but possesses a curious nature. Well-traveled, Ed enjoys a touch of art and culture, and a satisfying beer. It's a quick and absorbing read, narrated by Ed. Here is an example of the prose:
“My dad is Jack. He’s big and bald. Have a look at his neck. He likes his food. I’m Ed. I like my food, but in a different way to the way dad likes it. He likes it because it tastes good and fills him up. I like it because I like to think about it, read about it, cook it and eat it. I should also say that I’m bigger than Dad. People can see me coming. I don’t lumber in but I can be useful. I don’t work out but I keep fit. That’s being a builder for you…When I was at school I was called ‘Oi’ but only once.”
Crisp, confiding, convivial, and clever without being cunning, Ed’s story and Claire’s bubbled up and made me smile a lot, and feel wistful. Ed and Claire are more amusing and refreshing than their work. It's their thoughts, dialogue, and action that will lure you in throughout. I was sad and nostalgic that the story had to have a last page.
Benson’s story isn’t a big, splashy suspense tale or epic drama. Rather, it is a finely tuned, spare and tersely written narrative about what is possible for two people from disparate worlds. The book blurb doesn’t spoil the reader’s discovery, so I won’t, either. I’ll just say that it was a delight to read. Benson carves out an atmospheric and intimate tale of people reaching out, even when others don’t.
There’s a mini-mystery about a missing bowl, too, one worth twenty thousand pounds and made by Lucie Rie. The landscape is authentic, as well as all the places the book takes you, like the Neolithic Standing Stones of Stenness near Stromness, and the monolithic Setter Stone.
Don’t be surprised if you also get hungry, with the delicious and hearty meals that Ed cooks up or eats elsewhere. And his new friendship with Marcus’ sister, Claire, is fetching and organic, in keeping with the intimate atmosphere of the book. Their meals are delicious and they go on small adventures; occasionally, Ed has to face his fears of big hulking ships and farm animals. He regrets his poor performance as a student, but possesses a curious nature. Well-traveled, Ed enjoys a touch of art and culture, and a satisfying beer. It's a quick and absorbing read, narrated by Ed. Here is an example of the prose:
“My dad is Jack. He’s big and bald. Have a look at his neck. He likes his food. I’m Ed. I like my food, but in a different way to the way dad likes it. He likes it because it tastes good and fills him up. I like it because I like to think about it, read about it, cook it and eat it. I should also say that I’m bigger than Dad. People can see me coming. I don’t lumber in but I can be useful. I don’t work out but I keep fit. That’s being a builder for you…When I was at school I was called ‘Oi’ but only once.”
Crisp, confiding, convivial, and clever without being cunning, Ed’s story and Claire’s bubbled up and made me smile a lot, and feel wistful. Ed and Claire are more amusing and refreshing than their work. It's their thoughts, dialogue, and action that will lure you in throughout. I was sad and nostalgic that the story had to have a last page.
February 11, 2021
Generally when I write a review, I like to keep my own opinions until midway but here I’m going to break that rule.
I think the Stromness Dinner is absolutely fantastic. Every reader cliche happened; I couldn’t put the book down, I was absorbed in the novel’s world and time didn’t exist.
The plot, is a simple one: builder Ed is contracted to arrange a banker, Marcus’ father’s house as he, along with his sister, Claire, are going to sell it. Claire comes by to see how things are going and Ed and her fall in love. There’s a subplot involving a bowl.
On paper, or screen, this seems like an archetypical love story but The Stromness Dinner is much better than that, mainly because of the main protagonist.
Ed is a memorable character. He observes the tiny details of life. Nothing goes unnoticed, every smell , movement and speck of dirt gets documented. Then there’s his way of speaking. Aside from noting minutiae he also has a economic grasp of the English language. What I mean is that polysyllabic language does not exist in his vocabularly and yet he is able to articulate all his thoughts and desires clearly. If you met Ed in real life, you would know where you’d stand with him.
Despite his bare basics way of speaking he does have a refined palate and understands the importance of certain ingredients , in the novel we get him admonishing his mother not to include bacon and use guanciale in spaghetti carbonara. Throughout the novel us readers get little cooking tips. The thing is, although he knows his food, art is beyond him. He also likes to learn and is slightly self conscious of what he wears. Ed is definitely not an oik, rather a product of poor education or someone who wants to live and speak in an unpretentious manner (not foodwise). This mentality is even evident with his relationship with Claire, which is probably the reason why she is attracted to him.
The end result is a rich, warm and funny book. It’s got satirical moments which jab the British class system, north of England vrs South mentality and Brexit (Ed’s explanation of why the brexit happened is quite humorous). Some emotional ones and Ed’s narration style makes the novel super readable. The Stromness Dinner is an utter delight, from beginning to end and, at this point is definitely one of my reading highlights of 2021.
I think the Stromness Dinner is absolutely fantastic. Every reader cliche happened; I couldn’t put the book down, I was absorbed in the novel’s world and time didn’t exist.
The plot, is a simple one: builder Ed is contracted to arrange a banker, Marcus’ father’s house as he, along with his sister, Claire, are going to sell it. Claire comes by to see how things are going and Ed and her fall in love. There’s a subplot involving a bowl.
On paper, or screen, this seems like an archetypical love story but The Stromness Dinner is much better than that, mainly because of the main protagonist.
Ed is a memorable character. He observes the tiny details of life. Nothing goes unnoticed, every smell , movement and speck of dirt gets documented. Then there’s his way of speaking. Aside from noting minutiae he also has a economic grasp of the English language. What I mean is that polysyllabic language does not exist in his vocabularly and yet he is able to articulate all his thoughts and desires clearly. If you met Ed in real life, you would know where you’d stand with him.
Despite his bare basics way of speaking he does have a refined palate and understands the importance of certain ingredients , in the novel we get him admonishing his mother not to include bacon and use guanciale in spaghetti carbonara. Throughout the novel us readers get little cooking tips. The thing is, although he knows his food, art is beyond him. He also likes to learn and is slightly self conscious of what he wears. Ed is definitely not an oik, rather a product of poor education or someone who wants to live and speak in an unpretentious manner (not foodwise). This mentality is even evident with his relationship with Claire, which is probably the reason why she is attracted to him.
The end result is a rich, warm and funny book. It’s got satirical moments which jab the British class system, north of England vrs South mentality and Brexit (Ed’s explanation of why the brexit happened is quite humorous). Some emotional ones and Ed’s narration style makes the novel super readable. The Stromness Dinner is an utter delight, from beginning to end and, at this point is definitely one of my reading highlights of 2021.
April 26, 2021
Don’t Read This While Hungry!
Or maybe DO, and you will have mouth-watering ideas for your next meal!
“The Stromness Dinner”, by Peter Benson, is a pure DELIGHT! It reads as if 29 year old English builder, Ed Beech, is sitting across the table from you in a bar with a pint in front of both of you, and he’s telling you this story on a Saturday night. I could “hear” his accent in my head as I read. I could taste the meals he described. He had me entertained, amused, and entranced in the story he was telling me. He doesn’t pull and punches, or pretty it up in his telling, either, often he’s quite graphic, most often he’s quite funny.
And where did Ed’s story take me? He took me to Stromness, Orkney, way to the north in “sort of” Scotland; Orkney is a place I’ve never been to in person or in literature, but thanks to Ed I’m dying to go. Ed finds himself there to help a customer fix up his deceased father’s house. Ed has adventures, meets strange and interesting characters, confronts a mystery, and romance is in the air; all while in Orkney.
Do yourself a favor and look up the artists (particularly Lucie Rie) that Ed references; his folksy descriptions are spot-on! Also look up photos of Orkney and the Neolithic site Skara Brae, to really see it in your mind’s eye.
Or maybe DO, and you will have mouth-watering ideas for your next meal!
“The Stromness Dinner”, by Peter Benson, is a pure DELIGHT! It reads as if 29 year old English builder, Ed Beech, is sitting across the table from you in a bar with a pint in front of both of you, and he’s telling you this story on a Saturday night. I could “hear” his accent in my head as I read. I could taste the meals he described. He had me entertained, amused, and entranced in the story he was telling me. He doesn’t pull and punches, or pretty it up in his telling, either, often he’s quite graphic, most often he’s quite funny.
And where did Ed’s story take me? He took me to Stromness, Orkney, way to the north in “sort of” Scotland; Orkney is a place I’ve never been to in person or in literature, but thanks to Ed I’m dying to go. Ed finds himself there to help a customer fix up his deceased father’s house. Ed has adventures, meets strange and interesting characters, confronts a mystery, and romance is in the air; all while in Orkney.
Do yourself a favor and look up the artists (particularly Lucie Rie) that Ed references; his folksy descriptions are spot-on! Also look up photos of Orkney and the Neolithic site Skara Brae, to really see it in your mind’s eye.
October 22, 2021
Life is like…
Opening a Peter Benson novel is like delving into Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates, and this time around we’re treated to likeable London geezer, Ed Beech, who loves his grub, having a pint, the local women and cracking on with the day job – as one half of a father and son building company. Life is uncomplicated and as sweet as a hazelnut swirl.
A chance meeting with City high-flyer, Marcus, leads to some work for Ed, and in turn, an introduction to Claire, his equally corporate sister. Despite an initial attraction, Ed quickly deems her to be ‘out of his league’.
When Marcus’ father suddenly passes away, Ed is asked to make the journey to Stromness to smarten up the father’s house for selling.
And from here, Ed’s adventures begin.
On the face of it, The Stromness Dinner is a simple story; Ed goes to the house, meets up with Claire again, and it’s all lovely jubbly. But like dipping into that second layer for the best chocolates, the same applies here, and is where the real reward is gained from this novel.
For me, this is a story about people realising dreams they didn’t know they had. Or didn’t dare to have.
And it’s about the class divide. About what happens when two worlds meet somewhere in the middle and gain and learn (and learn to love) from their differences.
This is a great read; peppered with Ed’s kooky insights, gentle and laugh-out-loud humour – and all wrapped up a pit-stop tour of a beautiful island.
Like a lot of Benson’s work, this novel is also about hope. And Ed shows us, that with hope, anything is attainable.
A blinding book. Nuff said. Get in.
Opening a Peter Benson novel is like delving into Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates, and this time around we’re treated to likeable London geezer, Ed Beech, who loves his grub, having a pint, the local women and cracking on with the day job – as one half of a father and son building company. Life is uncomplicated and as sweet as a hazelnut swirl.
A chance meeting with City high-flyer, Marcus, leads to some work for Ed, and in turn, an introduction to Claire, his equally corporate sister. Despite an initial attraction, Ed quickly deems her to be ‘out of his league’.
When Marcus’ father suddenly passes away, Ed is asked to make the journey to Stromness to smarten up the father’s house for selling.
And from here, Ed’s adventures begin.
On the face of it, The Stromness Dinner is a simple story; Ed goes to the house, meets up with Claire again, and it’s all lovely jubbly. But like dipping into that second layer for the best chocolates, the same applies here, and is where the real reward is gained from this novel.
For me, this is a story about people realising dreams they didn’t know they had. Or didn’t dare to have.
And it’s about the class divide. About what happens when two worlds meet somewhere in the middle and gain and learn (and learn to love) from their differences.
This is a great read; peppered with Ed’s kooky insights, gentle and laugh-out-loud humour – and all wrapped up a pit-stop tour of a beautiful island.
Like a lot of Benson’s work, this novel is also about hope. And Ed shows us, that with hope, anything is attainable.
A blinding book. Nuff said. Get in.
February 26, 2025
Sometimes a book can have poor reviews and I will love it. Other times unfortunately the reverse is true. This novel clearly appeals to many, but it was just not to my tastes. Ed was an endearing character, but for me perhaps only in small doses. Some of the characters felt rather one-dimensional, the plot felt simplistic at times, and the ending rushed. I would have liked less humour and more description about Stromness, and it would have been interesting to see Ed from Claire’s perspective. But of course the author writes the novel and not the reader.
October 21, 2021
I loved this book. It helps having recently stayed in Stromness but that is not essential. I loved the writing style - no messing around with semi-colons to be found here, just straightforward, clear prose. Chapters are also brief. Maybe my attention span in this digital world is shorter than it used to be but I just found it so accessible and absolutely devoured it. At its root it’s a love story and it would be fair to say that the plot is predictable and the editing could be tighter, especially towards the end but this didn’t detract from a great story.
October 24, 2023
This was a step away from my usual choice of read, but the setting of the novel drew me in, and the slowly woven narrative did too - an enjoyable read
June 2, 2021
I read this book, almost in one sitting. Which isn’t bad for a book chosen for the title! Ed is a builder in south London. He’s based near Guy’s Hospital, so I knew enough about the London environment to enjoy it. He renovates Marcus’ flat, then gets asked to have a few days north to renovate the house in Stromness that was owned by Marcus’ father. I liked the way his journey north makes sense – hire a van, load it up, early start, coffee at Newport Pagnell, lunch at Woodall, break at the border, sleep at Pitlochry, very early start, doughnut in Inverness, coffee at Tain, ferry from Scrabster.
I can picture the house he is working on, the crowds from the cruise ships, the beauty of St Magnus and the ferry ride to the outer islands (though I could not manage four bacon rolls in one crossing). I love the idea that Skara Brae “was made up like the Flintstones. It was like some farmer had lost all his sheep in accident and woken up in the middle of the night a few days later and thought ‘I’ll make an old village in the sand dunes at the bottom of that useless field, tell some nobs from England that I’ve discovered the ruins of somewhere that was built before anyone even thought about the pyramids and I’ll be quids in’” (page 135).
Claire, Marcus’ sister, comes north, staying at a nearby inn, removing what she wants from the house, and Ed is smitten. As well as a decorator he is a chef, and loves cooking for two. She insists he takes some time off, and they travel to see Hermann, an old friend of her dad’s, who is an artist on the island of Eday. At lunch Ed writes “Hermann and I sparred, Claire and Hermann did that thing old men and younger women do when they know they could have had something but time worked against them, and Claire and I danced” (page 200). A trip to the Pier Art Centre at Stromness matches my memory of it – a fascinating building, art I didn’t understand, expensive pencil sharpeners in the shop.
Ed loves his food, He describes the meals he cooks, and the meals he has eaten, in superb detail. I am no gourmet-chef (or gourmet diner), but I love the idea of telling the about the best meal he ever ate as a substitute for telling the reader about a night of amazing sex. Enough details to make me think “lucky man”. Will it just be a holiday fling, or more than that?
This is a really good read that I would recommend; if you haven’t been to Orkney you will want to go, and if you know and love Orkney, you will want tot go back.
I can picture the house he is working on, the crowds from the cruise ships, the beauty of St Magnus and the ferry ride to the outer islands (though I could not manage four bacon rolls in one crossing). I love the idea that Skara Brae “was made up like the Flintstones. It was like some farmer had lost all his sheep in accident and woken up in the middle of the night a few days later and thought ‘I’ll make an old village in the sand dunes at the bottom of that useless field, tell some nobs from England that I’ve discovered the ruins of somewhere that was built before anyone even thought about the pyramids and I’ll be quids in’” (page 135).
Claire, Marcus’ sister, comes north, staying at a nearby inn, removing what she wants from the house, and Ed is smitten. As well as a decorator he is a chef, and loves cooking for two. She insists he takes some time off, and they travel to see Hermann, an old friend of her dad’s, who is an artist on the island of Eday. At lunch Ed writes “Hermann and I sparred, Claire and Hermann did that thing old men and younger women do when they know they could have had something but time worked against them, and Claire and I danced” (page 200). A trip to the Pier Art Centre at Stromness matches my memory of it – a fascinating building, art I didn’t understand, expensive pencil sharpeners in the shop.
Ed loves his food, He describes the meals he cooks, and the meals he has eaten, in superb detail. I am no gourmet-chef (or gourmet diner), but I love the idea of telling the about the best meal he ever ate as a substitute for telling the reader about a night of amazing sex. Enough details to make me think “lucky man”. Will it just be a holiday fling, or more than that?
This is a really good read that I would recommend; if you haven’t been to Orkney you will want to go, and if you know and love Orkney, you will want tot go back.
January 10, 2026
Written in first person, The Stromness Dinner is the story of a young London man, Ed, in his late twenties. He works with his father in building service, what I would call home remodeling. A chance encounter, outside his work van leads to a job re-doing a gentrified young man's kitchen, and then to sprucing up the client's recently deceased father's cottage in Stromness on a Scottish.
Throughout his ramblings, the reader learns of Ed's life. He is pretty happy, loves his family, food, and women. Ed also shares random thoughts as he works and travels.
At first, I found the book a little slow, waiting for something to happen. But once I got the hang of Ed, I came to really like and enjoy him. I loved the ending.
Throughout his ramblings, the reader learns of Ed's life. He is pretty happy, loves his family, food, and women. Ed also shares random thoughts as he works and travels.
At first, I found the book a little slow, waiting for something to happen. But once I got the hang of Ed, I came to really like and enjoy him. I loved the ending.
July 29, 2023
I don't routinely give books 5 stars, and this is a strange one - not my normal type of book to like, but what else can I give a book when I start it n Friday night, wake up early and continue reading most of the day until I finish it less than 18 hours after beginning it?
Benson is clever with words, his descriptions are often quirky but they ring true.
Next time I walk through Stromness I shall be looking for the pier off Dundas street where Shore View is, and looking for the Stromness Dinner along the road.
Benson is clever with words, his descriptions are often quirky but they ring true.
Next time I walk through Stromness I shall be looking for the pier off Dundas street where Shore View is, and looking for the Stromness Dinner along the road.
May 25, 2024
This book was on my TBR list, but I couldn't remember why and had no idea what it was about. That couldn't be a more perfect way to read this book. the narrator is an interesting fellow, kind of charming but with an everyday life. He does love to cook and new recipes are about as daring as he gets. By the time a plot actually starts to appear, we are halfway through the book and still curious about what is happening. I don't want to spoil this gem of a book; so no more description from me. It was the perfect book for a long stretch of time on a rainy Saturday.
July 6, 2022
I enjoyed this, although I had to take little rests from it as Ed's relentless personality was something I could only take in short doses. (I would definitely employ him as a builder though). The humour was subtle and dry and I'm sure I missed quite a lot of it. I thought the ending was excellent. Although food is clearly an important theme in the novel, I was constantly astounded at the sheer amount of it (mainly fried breakfasts) that Ed managed to consume.
March 19, 2025
What a find! Why have I never heard of Peter Benson or any of his books? Discovered this as it was read by my friend's Book Group. Narrated in deadpan naive style by an East London builder. With a very slight, but obvious plot, somehow or other, it was a real page turner. The backdrop is Stromness, Orkney and it could have been written by their Tourist Office - anyone reading this book would surely want to visit!
September 20, 2022
An absolute gem of a book. Original, believable characters with convincing descriptions of Bermondsey and Orkney. The plot is beautifully simple. A builder travels to Stromness to prepare a building for sale after the death of its owner. The contract has been negotiated with the late owner's adult children.
This is a book with no airs and graces and all the better for it.
This is a book with no airs and graces and all the better for it.
January 9, 2025
A gentle & fun read especially for someone who lives in Orkney (being able to picture & identify with the places referenced). The writing is simple but not trite. Would be tempted to read more of his work when easy reading required.
February 23, 2021
I don't remember how I came upon this book, but I am glad that I did. It's about a bloke named Ed and a lady named Claire and in the end, Cupid.
May 20, 2021
What a joy! So sad that it's ended5+++
May 29, 2021
I smiled my way through this book. The settings, the characters and their relationships, the story...they all fit together to make this a joy to read.
June 9, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. The plot, the structure and style, the humour, the insights, the geography . I'm glad to have found Peter Benson and look forward to reading more of his work.
July 5, 2021
A pleasant story about a poor London builder who falls in love with a rich banker
July 12, 2021
So charming.
July 25, 2021
What a sweet, quiet little book. One of my favourites this year.
October 13, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book, it's very cozy and the way is written is so heartwarming. It also took me to the beautiful Scotland, small towns and life there. What a lovely read.
January 13, 2024
An easy to read romance. It’s unusual for being told from the male POV
May 3, 2024
What a delightful, feel-good book! It made me laugh out loud many times, and left me smiling after I'd finished.
September 20, 2024
I really loved this book! Different to any I've read. I know Orkney so that added to my enjoyment in reading it.
Will now look for more by this author
Will now look for more by this author
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews