Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

Book: Little Beach Street Bakery

Author: Jenny Colgan

Pages: 416

Genre: Adult fiction, contemporary

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads synopsis

If you know me, I’m a sucker for anything horror, thriller/mystery, and fantasy. But my brain needs a break from death and destruction every once in a while. I don’t read a lot of contemporary. I’ve read only one Jenny Colgan book prior to this, which was The Bookshop on the Corner. I adored it so much that I wanted to read more of Colgan’s work.

Little Beach Street Bakery follows a 32 year old woman named Polly who falls into a financial crisis, splits from her long term boyfriend, and moves to a quaint, seaside village in England. She befriends a group of local fishermen, and rediscovers her love for baking. Reading this book was like the equivalent of wrapping myself in a warm blanket… a blanket made out of thick slices of toast slathered in jam and butter.

I found myself relating so much to Polly. Moving to a new city, trying to fit in, healing an injured animal (there is a PUFFIN in this book, people!), and just trying to navigate a new life. I felt so much for her! Also, I dare you to read this book without getting hungry. You will want to eat ALLLL the bread!

Since I find bullet points so much more fascinating to read, I will now continue my review with what I liked and didn’t like. Below will be spoilers!

Yay:

• Small town vibes. I’m from a small town where everyone knows everyone. I love the close-knit feel of the townsfolk and how everyone supports each other.
• Neil the puffling. A baby puffin is in this book. Need I say more?
• No insta-love. I love how independent Polly is. She befriends a few men, who we know will end up being a love interest. But there’s no insta-love. It was so refreshing to not have to read about crazy love triangles.
• Karensa and Reuben. These two are the worst but I love them. They are rude and filthy rich. The dialogue between these two makes me laugh out loud every time (And I don’t normally laugh out loud in books, guys.)

Nay:

• Huckle. Ugh. This guy. I think we needed more of him to understand why he was such a turd in the second half of the book. He’s a typical “mysterious American who winds up in the middle of no where England”. I wanted to know more about him. Also, he just ups and leaves without notice, but asks Polly to show his new beekeeper the ropes? Are you serious? Bitch, train your own damn replacement and don’t pawn off your responsibilities to the woman you’re choosing to ignore. I don’t hate him, but rubbed me the wrong way more than once.
• The opening chapter starts in the ‘present’, when Polly is an “old lady”. Not sure why this didn’t get edited out before publishing. I’m not a fan of stories told in the past (even though this story is told in 2014). Especially knowing there are 2 more books after this, I feel like it was odd to have this one start out with Polly telling a story from her ‘youth’.

So, not many complaints from me. I overall adored this book so so much. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

I’m hoping to knock out at least 2 more books before the end of 2017.

xx,

Amy

You can find Little Beach Street Bakery on amazon