One Winter's Day: A feel good winter romance

Laura Briggs

Oct 2018 · Bookouture

About this ebook

Twenty-eight-year-old baker Ama has always followed the rules. Life is like a cake recipe – you just have to do the right things in the right order. Or so she believes...

 

But as Ama stocks up on cinnamon for her Christmas orders, she meets tall, dark, handsome mechanic Luke, who sets her pulse racing. Who takes her out for a ride on his motorbike, and who is the first person who’s ever seen the gleam in her eye that reveals the adventurous heart she’s been trying to hide.

 

Ama knows she and Luke can never work though. He’s too wild and impulsive for her orderly life. And he’s her strictly-traditional parents’ absolute worst nightmare. She needs someone calm and sensible who shares their old-fashioned values.

 

As snow begins to fall, Ama tries her best to put Luke out of her mind, and concentrate on gingerbread and spiced muffins. But her latest commission, a towering cake for a winter wedding, just reminds her she’s lonely.

 

Ama doesn’t want to let her parents down, and she has never broken the rules before. But do her family know best? Or should she trust her heart?

 

The perfect feel-good winter romance for fans of Debbie Macomber, Mary Kay Andrews and Jenny Hale.

 

Readers love One Winter’s Day:

‘I loved this book, it was just what the doctor ordered something nice, filling you with happiness and hope.’ Zooloo’s Book Diary

 

‘It’s perfect for this time of year when the days get colder and the nights draw in. So grab a warm blanket and hot chocolate and settle down for a gorgeous, comforting, cosy read.’ Waggy Tales

 

‘Fluently written, romantic and funny.’ B for Book Review, 5 stars

 

‘Such a fun… lighthearted read that is sure to put a smile on your face!… Absolutely recommend if you are a fan of books about… strong female friendships with a splash of romance.’ Audio Killed the Bookmark

 

‘The book was very tender, humorous, and free spirited – I am really looking forward to reading more from this author!’ The Writing Garnet

 

‘The characters have a wonderful sense of humour which shines through, making them easy to relate to, and in turn, making One Winter's Day a joy to read.’ Portable Magic

 

Praise for Laura Briggs:

‘A little bit of everything to tempt you… You know when you near the end of a story and wish it could carry on well this is exactly what I was feeling when I was reading those last few chapters… Beautiful, sweet and romantic!’ Rae Reads, 5 stars

 

‘Loved this … sweet romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

 

‘I absolutely loved this gorgeous story, straight from the beginning I was hooked on the characters and the storyline… a wonderful, sweet, feel-good read... Get whisked away by Laura to the charming town and enjoy your stay there.’ Katie’s Book Cave, 5 stars

 

‘Light hearted and entertaining… tender and loving… such a lovely romantic book… Would definitely recommend!’ Stardust Book Reviews

Ratings and reviews

Tessa, Ama and Natalie couldn’t be more different or more similar, and their skills in their new and struggling wedding planning business work neatly together. Ama is of Indian descent, but all she really wants to do is bake fine pastries and find a man who will sweep her off her feet, not just a marriage to a man picked by her family. Natalie’s heart is in fashion and design, and really isn’t all that interested in romance. With her boisterous Italian family always being involved in every step of her life, and none quite understanding her casual approach to dating, she’s stuck between finding the courage to break out with her own label, and trying to keep the ‘neighbor boy’ from completely inserting himself into her life. Lastly there’s Tessa with her bad history of falling too fast, with a major crush on their ‘handyman / fourth partner Blake’ after a kiss rocked her world months before. But she’s desperate that things don’t change or get any more awkward, and frequent battles with Blake’s true love of restoration and renovation with purpose clash dramatically with Tessa’s need for ‘artistic expression’. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect here – and while I got a solid sense of everyone’s struggles with romance and relationships - most prevalent with Ama and Natalie whose families and parents were omnipresent and occasionally tone-deaf to what the women were trying to say. Ama had the worst of it by far: as she lives and works with her siblings, aunt and parents and while she’s trying to respect their more traditional aspects of life, she’s obviously got viewpoints and dreams that don’t fit with their expectations of what her life should become. Natalie’s family is omnipresent even though she has her own space – the calls, the requests for help or to come to meals, that overbearing expectation of a family that loves you to bits but doesn’t understand your own desire (or perhaps even doesn’t listen), all wrapped up with a childhood friend that everyone (including him) sees as a match for you. Tessa was a bit of the ‘tough girl I’ve got everything handled’ until I get in the presence of Blake and then I go into teenaged girl blushing - I was expecting her to punch his shoulder at any moment. She’s also worried about the future of her new partnership with the girls and their wedding planning business, not wanting to go back to the children’s party circuit with her first boss – all concerns she hasn’t shared with the others as she’s the ‘business head’ in their group – and it is she who manages the money and bills. Honestly I was confused for most of this story as there wasn’t any real conclusions for anyone – each was mired in their own struggles with their dreams and families, and when you added in the wedding that they are planning with two very disparate mothers of the bride and groom – the funniest parts of the story were the interactions and reactions from the mothers and the mishaps that led up to the wedding. There was little to no growth for Natalie, while Ama actually finally found someone who has potential, even as she hasn’t told her family the whole story yet. Tessa – well we left her drowning her sorrows about Blake in icecream and cocoa on her mother’s sofa. No real resolution or forward progress for any but Ama, and even her progress was miniscule as her own guilt and need to please her parents was overriding her own desires. The writing here was okay, and while I could clearly imagine the smells, tastes and sights, it was the heart and the sense of determination for each of these three women that was harder to access or see. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.