Whoop! It’s publication time again for the fabulous Rebecca Raisin and book two in the Cedarwood Lodge series, Brides & Bouquets! Congratulations! Not too long ago you saw social media buzzing as the first book in the series, Celebrations & Confetti, was published. In case you missed it, you can find my review for the previous book here: #Tour! Celebrations & Confetti by Rebecca Raisin (@jaxandwillsmum) @LoveReadRomance @UKCarina
Blurb.
Christmas has come to Cedarwood Lodge in the second part of the feel-good romance serial from best selling author, Rebecca Raisin!
Dreaming of a happily ever after at Cedarwood Lodge is Clio Winters’ current focus, especially with a winter wonderland wedding expo planned. But with brides coming from far and wide the heat is on for Clio to fulfil everyone’s dream of a Christmas wedding!
It seems like Clio’s new business might be off to a rocky start and surrounded by love struck brides she can’t help but hope for a little Christmas romance of her own…
Cedarwood Lodge is a delectable romance told in three parts – following Clio Winters journey back to her hometown of Evergreen. This is Part Two.
What does TWG think?
It only feels like yesterday that we were giving a warm welcome to Clio Winters and Cedarwood Lodge! Luckily for us though, barely any time at all has passed and she is BACK! Well, technically she isn’t back as she didn’t leave Cedarwood Lodge in between books…you know what I mean. ANYWAY!
Brides & Bouquets is centred around what Clio does best; wedding planning. However, wedding planning at Cedarwood Lodge is a bit different for Clio this time around, as she is working with an unfinished lodge. Will Clio and her Cedarwood army be able to turn Cedarwood lodge into a wedding haven for her bride visitors?
I have been so excited about this book ever since I finished reading ‘Celebration’s and Confetti’. Such a moreish storyline with intriguing characters, my expectations were rather high for Brides & Bouquets! I believe that this series can be read standalone, but in my honest opinion, I would advise that you read them in order, from the beginning otherwise you might end up wondering who the pansy everyone is.
It did take me a little while to warm up to the storyline. I genuinely thought that I could slip back into it as if I hadn’t been away, but I felt like a bride with cold feet. It could be the fact that I had read the first book a few weeks ago, read quite a few books and come back to the series again…I may have sabotaged myself. Anyway, once I got into it, the storyline warmed me up like a cup of hot cocoa by the fire!
The descriptions of each room, the Christmas tree, as well as items from the bridal expo made me feel as though I was in Cedarwood Lodge myself, seeing everything with my very own eyes. Surreal feeling!
I must admit, this review is a bit difficult to write as I am having to be super careful not to give anything away, especially as every situation in the book is very closely linked to another. Just to clarify, that isn’t a bad thing! Not for you anyway, it is for me as I want to tell you ALLLLLL of it, but I can’t. That would be mean.
I found myself liking Clio even more in this book as we got to see more of her personality, as well as watching her grow as a person. She has more of an edge to her this time but I have a feeling that there is more to her that we haven’t seen yet. Compared to the first book in the series, Brides and Bouquets felt more emotional in a way I can’t really explain, definitely positive though!
Brides and Bouquet is a heart-warming tale that may leave you wanting to change your career straight after reading it. Full of fabulous humour, likeable characters and a truly cosy setting, this book will warm you from the inside out and fill your heart with a bouquet of joy!
Thank you LRR, Rebecca and HQDigitalUK
Buy links.
Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | Google Play | Goodreads
Excerpt.
Clio,
I hope the bridal expo goes off without a hitch. Have I told you yet that I’m glad you came home? Life was never really the same after you left. Looking forward to that dinner whenever you’re free.
Timothy x
Life was never really the same? But he got married and had a family about three minutes after I was out of sight! I’m sure I wasn’t on his mind one little bit. I didn’t hold any grudge or strong feeling about it – we’d been so young, really. But still, he had moved on fairly quickly. Would something bloom between us if I just let go and lived for the moment? The same niggle bothered me. Kai. Even if nothing happened with him, would it be fair to date Timothy when secretly my heart beat a double rhythm when I thought of my Australian surfer guru?
Taking my cell, I hastily sent Timothy a thank you text back, avoiding any talk about the dinner date invitation.
This was why I loved work. Being busy gave me the ability to shelve any boy dilemma and focus on the task at hand. I found a crystal vase and took the bouquet to my office. That done, I went back to the ballroom and checked off my list.
Every vendor was accounted for, set up and ready to go. Isla and Micah had the activities organized. Aunt Bessie was getting her donuts out of the van and ready to serve… so what was I missing? I’d forgotten something, I could feel it.
I wandered around the tables we’d set up in different themes, lifting champagne flutes, checking for smudges. The cutlery was lined up perfectly reflecting prisms of light from the chandeliers. Georges would serve canapes as soon as the guests –
Georges! Normally he’d be singing and bellowing in the kitchen, foodie scents wafting down the hallway making my mouth water, but I hadn’t seen him arrive yet. I dashed down the hall to check. The kitchen was empty, not a pot on the stove and more worryingly not a sign of Georges. Snatching up the phone I called him, picturing the worst – a car crash, the roads were slippery this time of year. My heart was in my throat by the time he answered on the third ring.
“Hi Clio, did you get my message? I’m sorry to let you down like this, but I couldn’t say no, you understand, don’t you?”
Blood drained from my face as I checked my watch. Three hours until our brides were due and my chef was telling me he wasn’t coming. Trying to halt the erratic beat of my heart I said, “What message, Georges? Where are you?”
Author Info
Rebecca Raisin is a true bibliophile. This love of books morphed into the desire to write them. She’s been published in various short story anthologies and in in fiction magazines, and is now focusing on writing romance. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships, and most importantly believe in true love.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
The Writing Garnet 