Sealed with a Kiss by Rachael Lucas
Published 8th May 2014 by Pan Macmillan
Read in May 2014, Re-read in March 2015
Available to buy from: Amazon and all good bookshops
The Blurb:
Being dumped by the world's most boring boyfriend wasn't exactly on Kate's To Do list, but at least it's a wake-up call. Jobless and now homeless and boyfriendless too, she needs a new start. Or just anything to avoid moving back in with her mother.
And taking a job as a Girl Friday on a remote Scottish island is definitely something new. Auchenmor is the perfect place to escape to: friendly locals, gorgeous scenery, and an even more gorgeous bagpipe player called Finn. Her new boss Roddy (the Laird, no less) might be as chatty as one of Auchenmor's native seals, but Kate can see there's a softer side behind his prickly demeanour.
When Roddy's demanding ex suddenly reappears, she'll do anything to keep Kate and her boss apart. Just what is Fiona up to? Island life has no room for secrets...
The Review:
I remember reading this book for the first time in the gorgeous May sunshine last year and felt like it was time for a reread. I am so glad that I picked it up and read it again as it is such a delight to read and I'd forgotten just how much I had fell in love with the idea of island life in Auchenmor.
I think Rachael told the story so well and made Auchenmor sound so breathtaking and stunning that I would love to move there and get to know the locals myself as they all seem so friendly and nice. I thought Bonfire night and Hogmanay were so wonderful I was tempted to try and do a little highland jig myself as I wanted to be a part of the festivities.
I loved Kate's freedom when she became a part of the island life and feel like everyone should get the opportunity to become a part of a different culture and be able to find something that they love when they least expect to. I felt as though island life would be something I'd love to experience as it's such beautiful escapism and I'd prefer to be somewhere less crowded.
I think that the characters were written about wonderfully and I just fell in love with them all (well... apart from the obvious). I want to try Bruno's coffee, spend time with Susan, Jean and Morag, wander around the island whilst trying not to fall over as I am probably a lot clumsier than Kate, and just be part of what seems like a close-knit community which is more like family. I'm still debating over who I find more attractive out of Finn and Roddy though as they're both gorgeous. Rachael really captured the honesty of children brilliantly within the story and Jennifer's character really made me giggle at times as she conveyed some of the wonderful things that children say.
This book has made me want to get to know more about the wildlife that we have in the world and has inspired me to go travelling (though I need money for that) to get to know more about the different cultures and see life from a different perspective as you can't always get that perspective by staying in one place.
This book is such a charming read and literally perfect to read all year around as it is so heart-warming. It's definitely a book that will inspire you to go exploring the world.
Aimee x
Published 8th May 2014 by Pan Macmillan
Read in May 2014, Re-read in March 2015
Available to buy from: Amazon and all good bookshops
The Blurb:
Being dumped by the world's most boring boyfriend wasn't exactly on Kate's To Do list, but at least it's a wake-up call. Jobless and now homeless and boyfriendless too, she needs a new start. Or just anything to avoid moving back in with her mother.
And taking a job as a Girl Friday on a remote Scottish island is definitely something new. Auchenmor is the perfect place to escape to: friendly locals, gorgeous scenery, and an even more gorgeous bagpipe player called Finn. Her new boss Roddy (the Laird, no less) might be as chatty as one of Auchenmor's native seals, but Kate can see there's a softer side behind his prickly demeanour.
When Roddy's demanding ex suddenly reappears, she'll do anything to keep Kate and her boss apart. Just what is Fiona up to? Island life has no room for secrets...
The Review:
I remember reading this book for the first time in the gorgeous May sunshine last year and felt like it was time for a reread. I am so glad that I picked it up and read it again as it is such a delight to read and I'd forgotten just how much I had fell in love with the idea of island life in Auchenmor.
I think Rachael told the story so well and made Auchenmor sound so breathtaking and stunning that I would love to move there and get to know the locals myself as they all seem so friendly and nice. I thought Bonfire night and Hogmanay were so wonderful I was tempted to try and do a little highland jig myself as I wanted to be a part of the festivities.
I loved Kate's freedom when she became a part of the island life and feel like everyone should get the opportunity to become a part of a different culture and be able to find something that they love when they least expect to. I felt as though island life would be something I'd love to experience as it's such beautiful escapism and I'd prefer to be somewhere less crowded.
I think that the characters were written about wonderfully and I just fell in love with them all (well... apart from the obvious). I want to try Bruno's coffee, spend time with Susan, Jean and Morag, wander around the island whilst trying not to fall over as I am probably a lot clumsier than Kate, and just be part of what seems like a close-knit community which is more like family. I'm still debating over who I find more attractive out of Finn and Roddy though as they're both gorgeous. Rachael really captured the honesty of children brilliantly within the story and Jennifer's character really made me giggle at times as she conveyed some of the wonderful things that children say.
This book has made me want to get to know more about the wildlife that we have in the world and has inspired me to go travelling (though I need money for that) to get to know more about the different cultures and see life from a different perspective as you can't always get that perspective by staying in one place.
This book is such a charming read and literally perfect to read all year around as it is so heart-warming. It's definitely a book that will inspire you to go exploring the world.
Aimee x