3.5 Stars round up to 4!

CW: detailed sex scenes, head injury with blood

Well that book felt like a nice warm hygge!

Hopefully I was the first to make that punny little joke!

Whilst there were periods in the book where the tension had fallen completely away and the characters were just existing in their little Danish pastry filled world, I was always entertained. Seriously though, there were points where I was wondering what could possibly happen next, as it all seemed to be resolved. However, it all still worked, as the pacing was more like a real life scenario, as opposed to the speed-dating, condensed version we often see in a novel. A simple and charming romance book filled with an eclectic mix of loveable characters. The only problem I have now is how to get hold of a freshly made Danish pastry...

Also, I love the hygge ideals and am staring hard at my house and wondering where the candles and soft throws will go... ( )

{First of 7 Romantic Escapes series; romance, Copenhagen, steam} (2018)

Kate Sinclair, angling for a promotion at her PR firm, is pipped at the post by her so-called boyfriend Josh who uses her idea. So Kate is palmed off with a project to bid for the account of Lars Wilder, a Danish businessman, promoting the art of 'hygge' (apparently pronounced 'hooge') - the indefinable sense of Danish style and comfort that its detractors dismiss as 'candles and cashmere blankets'. Surprisingly, she wins the account and is tasked with recruiting six journalists for a promotional trip to Copenhagen to discover hygge. She rounds up some contacts and, on a recommendation from Josh, phones the Sunday Inquirer to speak to Benedict Johnson - who shoots her down. Aiming to show Josh that she's fine without him, Kate attends an awards night at the Grosvenor Hotel wearing a simple, sexy Vera Wang creation where she meets someone to whom she's very attracted - but doesn't follow up on it.

Kate takes her journalists to Copenhagen - including (at the last moment) Benedict, who has been press-ganged by his boss into joining, which he's not too happy about - and although the start of the trip is a bit rough, the warmth of the Danish people rubs off on all of them. Fortunately, just around the corner from their hotel is Varme (meaning 'warmth'), the café owned and run by Lars's mum, Eva, where Kate finds refuge when the job gets too overwhelming.

Caplin takes us on a tour of Copenhagen and we have fun seeing it along with the little group.

The impressive Radhuspladsen with its huge tower, by now quite familiar to us because it could be seen from various parts of the city including the Tivoli Gardens, was a striking combination of austere and ornate. Built in sturdy red bricks, with rows of forbidding neat mullioned lead-paned windows on one floor which contrasted with the modern windows below, there were interesting architectural features like the two semi-circular bay windows topped with mini turrets and the elaborate crenelated affair on top of the roof, which brought to mind the palazzo in Siena.

I loved the friendship of all the characters and the romance; the attraction, the flirting, the friendship, the thoughtfulness, the hesitation, the gradual falling in love. I liked the way the little group, who at first seem incompatible, comes together as the trip goes along and end up being supportive of each other. For example, when they go to the Tivoli Gardens, Fiona (the shyest of them) uncharacteristically takes charge and decides that the group should go on the rollercoaster and Kate decides she should go along too, as a show of support - even though she's terrified of heights.

What the hell had I been thinking when I agreed to this? I think I let out a little involuntary whimper and with leaden legs mounted the next step on the staircase, my hand cramping on the handrail.
Ben turned my way. I raised my head with a determined who-me-scared lift of the chin and gave him an approximation of a smile, stretching my face in the right sort of direction and baring my teeth. It probably would have frightened small children and it didn’t fool him. His hand fumbled to take mine, giving it a quick squeeze. I closed my eyes, and squeezed back, waiting for his fingers to fall away but he kept my hand firmly clasped in his, stepping closer so that we were side by side.
‘You look terrified.’
‘I was hoping it didn’t show.’ My attempt at dry and deadpan failed big-time.

I felt perfectly happy, while reading it, if there wasn't to be a bedroom scene (even though the two leads would obviously end up together); well, there was a not-quite-made-it-to-the-bedroom scene which, to be honest, I felt didn't live up to the romance and I thought the book would have been just as good - or, even, better - without it.

My e-library-book expired when I was about halfway through and the only version I could find immediately (rather than wait for weeks for my hold to come back around) was an audiobook. It was read by Imogen Wilde who, I thought, did a brilliant job with the voices of the different characters (I say this with feeling, having attempted the feat while reading bedtime stories to my kids) including different accents, as appropriate.

I did like the way Caplin built the romantic tension and I had already borrowed the next in the series before I finished this book.

September 2021
3.5*** ( )

This is a lighthearted story, the first in a series. The author has a light touch on sentimental and emotional issues and does quite a good job of telling an engaging story. I recommend it to lighten up a dreary afternoon. ( )

A feel-good romance that made want to travel to Copenhagen. Cozy, tender and entertaing.
A very nice read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK ( )

2.5 ( )