Fairytale Beginnings by Holly Martin Published by Bookouture on July 10, 2015
Genres: Chic-Lit
Pages: 320
Source: Netgalley
I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
GoodreadsAmazon, B&N
Love is an open door…except when it keeps slamming in your face Hopeless romantic Milly Rose has had her fair share of heartbreak. Obsessed with all things Disney, she refuses to give up on finding her Prince Charming – he’s out there somewhere, isn’t he? When Milly is given a job to investigate the origins of a historical building in the village of Clover's Rest, she’s not sure what to expect. What she discovers takes her breath away - a beautiful real life Cinderella castle, complete with turrets, a magnificent drawbridge AND a very handsome owner…Cameron Heartstone. As Milly and Cameron begin to unearth the secrets of Clover Castle, they can’t ignore the intense chemistry building between them. But they’ve both been hurt badly before. Can they take a big leap of faith and find their own happily-ever-after? A deliciously enchanting read that will delight fans of Rachael Lucas, Lucy Diamond and Miranda Dickinson or anyone who has ever blubbed at a Disney movie. Who says real life can’t be a fairytale? ‘Holly Martin writes about life and love with such big-hearted warmth and flair.’ Belinda Jones ‘Holly Martin makes me laugh out loud. Her stories are filled with memorable, lovable characters who reel me in and leave me giggling long after I finish the book.’ Jenny Hale Read what everyone is saying about Holly Martin’s previous bestsellers: 'One Hundred Proposals is beautifully romantic, riveting, completely irresistible and a story that will make you fall in love with love.' Victoria Loves Books 'Funny, poignant and riveting as well as romantic. Don't miss The Guestbook! I couldn't get enough of the guests' entries and it's got everything: humour, heartbreak, loss, love.' I Heart Chick Lit 'If you’re going to buy any book then buy this delightful one! The Guestbook is splendid, it is beautiful, it is magical and it will leave you with such a smile on your face!' Reading in the Sunshine 'This was honestly, 100% one of the most enjoyable books I have ever read – I devoured it in 2 sittings! Holly’s writing style is so easy and fluent it gets hard to stop, and before you know it you’ve read 200 pages and completely forgot about dinner.' Jenny In Neverland ‘I was immediately hooked from the first page!...There’s an amazing bunch of colourful characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. There were so many laugh out loud moments and funny scenes as well as some more emotional ones too. Stunningly good!’ Rebecca Raisin ‘The novel has everything – mystery, romance and much more… it totally swept me away.’ Nat's Reading Cloud ‘I thoroughly enjoyed this uplifting, inspiring, terrific storywhich gives us all hope in our quest to find the ‘one’.’ Em The Bookworm ‘Holly Martin has created a story that was a romance like nothing I’ve ever read before. The emotion, the passion, it pours from the pages of this spectacular novel. Buy it, read it, devour it.’ Love of a Good Book ‘The mix of romance and humour couldn’t be more perfect.
In An Oyster Shell- This book was a charming picturesque romance. If you are craving a light-hearted disney quality story, I highly recommend this book.
The Pearls –
My favorite part of this book was the constant humor. I love light-hearted romantic comedies, I feel they are rare in books. So this book is a definite treasure, and what do you know it has treasure in it.
I thought the concept of the book modern day fairytale was extremely clever and better executed than most. It was just a fun tongue-in-cheek read. The setting was at a modern day castle somewhere in England, on an ocean side, set among a charming old-time village.
The characters were funny and relatable. You were rooting for them, booing for them, or chanting Oogie, Oogie, with them. There is not enough time to say how much I loved this book.
The Sand – I enjoyed the book immensely, but in the end I don’t think this story will stand the test of time. It’s risky business putting contemporary references in your story, like the author’s constant reference to Disney. I hope beyond hope that in 20 plus years my children will only know of its existence in a historical context. Which would make this book less relevant.
I give this book a solid 4.5 Pearls.
About Holly Martin
I live in sunny Bedfordshire in a house with round windows. I studied media at university which led to a very glitzy career as a hotel receptionist followed by a even more glamorous two years working in a bank. The moment that one of my colleagues received the much coveted carriage clock for fifteen years service was the moment when I knew I had to escape. I quit my job and returned to university to train to be a teacher. Three years later, I emerged wide eyed and terrified that I now had responsibility for the development of thirty young minds. I taught for four years before History Off The Page came to my school to do a Tudor day. I now drive round the country in my little white van, dressing up as a Viking one day and an Egyptian High Priestess the next.
I love to write. The characters do exactly what I want them to do, most of the time. Sometimes they do seem to go off and do their own thing without my permission. It is complete escapism into a world where I have full control.
I’ve been writing for four years now, every spare second I have, I’m scribbling ideas in a notebook or typing a scene on my laptop. I have written three romantic fiction books. Changing Casanova and The Chainsaw Masquerade were recently shortlisted for the Festival of Romance New Talent Award. My short story, One Hundred Proposals, won the Belinda Jones Travel Club short story competition and was published in the Sunlounger anthology.
