Amelia Grey's Fireside Dream - Abby Clements
Published: 26/09/13
Publisher: Quercus
Pages: 384
During the early summer months, I had the privilege of reading and reviewing Vivien’s Heavenly Ice Cream Shop; it was a pure delight and I was instantly eager to find out what Abby was writing next. What I didn’t expect was another book SO soon after the last but this was the best surprise EVER and as soon as I heard the title and saw the cover for this book I was in love!!
(Thanks to the wonderful cover designers. Both books look glorious sitting next to each other on the bookshelf!)
Abby, no pressure but can we have just one more book before the year is out…….pretty please? (Wishful thinking!)
Anyway, on with the review!
Amelia and Jack live in the smallest most cramped flat in London where they both work. Amelia is an English teacher and Jack is a graphic designer-ish man who makes films. When Abby realises she’s nearly thirty and hasn’t done half of what she wanted to do before that age, she decides she wants to tick something off of her bucket list and live in the countryside. With Jacks approval, she starts hunting for the perfect country cottage for Jack and her to make a new home. On the journey from buying a house to completely redecorating it, Amelia faces a few challenges along the way. However, armed with a paintbrush, a sewing machine and a mood-board Amelia is determined to make her dream a reality.
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH.
With Vivien’s I managed to read the book in an afternoon and I managed the same with this book. It probably took me less than three hours in total to finish this delight; I couldn’t bear to put it down! From the very first page I was in love with Amelia and I was so excited to follow her on her little dream to re-decorate a house and live in the countryside. She was a great character who I felt for the whole way through, even when at times she seemed to doubt herself. I really enjoyed the character of Jack too; he was the sweetest husband and was 100% behind Amelia (most of the time!!) The supporting characters, such as Amelia’s friends and parents were also really fun to meet. My perception of Amelia’s mother changed a lot over the course of the book and it was really interesting to see the development of both Amelia’s mother and father.
Perhaps the part of this book I loved the most was the message it gave. Living in the moment and enjoying everything for what it is worth is SO important. There is no point in worrying about the future when it hasn’t been written yet and things can change over time if you give them the chance. Amelia was set in her ways at the beginning of this novel but over the course she learns not to worry too much about the future (with Jack’s help).
As always, Abby’s writing is perfect and it flows effortlessly making for an easy and enjoyable read. Finishing each chapter would normally be a time when I’d take a break from some books but with this one I just kept turning the pages, I couldn’t stop!
The weather is slowly changing to accommodate Autumn and Winter and I think you would be silly not to buy this book and snuggle up in front of a roaring fire with a mug of hot chocolate and this book. You will not be let down!
A stunning seasonal read that will have you desperate to buy a house to renovate straight away.
Publisher: Quercus
Pages: 384
During the early summer months, I had the privilege of reading and reviewing Vivien’s Heavenly Ice Cream Shop; it was a pure delight and I was instantly eager to find out what Abby was writing next. What I didn’t expect was another book SO soon after the last but this was the best surprise EVER and as soon as I heard the title and saw the cover for this book I was in love!!
(Thanks to the wonderful cover designers. Both books look glorious sitting next to each other on the bookshelf!)
Abby, no pressure but can we have just one more book before the year is out…….pretty please? (Wishful thinking!)
Anyway, on with the review!
Amelia and Jack live in the smallest most cramped flat in London where they both work. Amelia is an English teacher and Jack is a graphic designer-ish man who makes films. When Abby realises she’s nearly thirty and hasn’t done half of what she wanted to do before that age, she decides she wants to tick something off of her bucket list and live in the countryside. With Jacks approval, she starts hunting for the perfect country cottage for Jack and her to make a new home. On the journey from buying a house to completely redecorating it, Amelia faces a few challenges along the way. However, armed with a paintbrush, a sewing machine and a mood-board Amelia is determined to make her dream a reality.
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH.
With Vivien’s I managed to read the book in an afternoon and I managed the same with this book. It probably took me less than three hours in total to finish this delight; I couldn’t bear to put it down! From the very first page I was in love with Amelia and I was so excited to follow her on her little dream to re-decorate a house and live in the countryside. She was a great character who I felt for the whole way through, even when at times she seemed to doubt herself. I really enjoyed the character of Jack too; he was the sweetest husband and was 100% behind Amelia (most of the time!!) The supporting characters, such as Amelia’s friends and parents were also really fun to meet. My perception of Amelia’s mother changed a lot over the course of the book and it was really interesting to see the development of both Amelia’s mother and father.
Perhaps the part of this book I loved the most was the message it gave. Living in the moment and enjoying everything for what it is worth is SO important. There is no point in worrying about the future when it hasn’t been written yet and things can change over time if you give them the chance. Amelia was set in her ways at the beginning of this novel but over the course she learns not to worry too much about the future (with Jack’s help).
As always, Abby’s writing is perfect and it flows effortlessly making for an easy and enjoyable read. Finishing each chapter would normally be a time when I’d take a break from some books but with this one I just kept turning the pages, I couldn’t stop!
The weather is slowly changing to accommodate Autumn and Winter and I think you would be silly not to buy this book and snuggle up in front of a roaring fire with a mug of hot chocolate and this book. You will not be let down!
A stunning seasonal read that will have you desperate to buy a house to renovate straight away.
Laura