9,0/10
3 July 2014
Blog Tour: 'The School Gate Survival Guide' by Kerry Fisher
9,0/10
2 July 2014
Review: 'The Tea Chest' by Josephine Moon (2014)
Kate Fullerton, talented tea designer and now co-owner of The Tea Chest,
could never have imagined that she'd be flying from Brisbane to London, risking
her young family's future, to save the business she loves from the woman who
wants to shut it down.
Meanwhile, Leila Morton has just lost her job; and if Elizabeth Clancy
had known today was the day she would appear on the nightly news, she might at
least have put on some clothes. Both need to start again.
When Kate's, Leila's and Elizabeth's paths unexpectedly cross, they
throw themselves into realising Kate's magical vision of London's branch of the
newest and most delectable tea shop, The Tea Chest. But every time success is
within their grasp, increasing tensions damage their trust in each other.
With the very real possibility that The Tea Chest will fail, Kate, Leila
and Elizabeth must decide what's important to each of them. Are they willing to
walk away or can they learn to believe in themselves?
Several
weeks ago I received one of the best review packages I’ve been lucky enough to
have been sent since I started book blogging. The absolutely lovely people at
Allen & Unwin sent out review copies of Josephine Moon’s debut novel, ‘The
Tea Chest’, complete with a gorgeous tea towel with the cover on it and a tea
bag. I also straight away loved the cover of the book with its pretty pastel
colours, and since I’m a big tea drinker, I immediately got excited about the
idea of a book about a tea shop. I really couldn’t wait to pick this book up
and start reading!
Kate
Fullerton has been working at the Tea Chest for several years, designing and
selling new and exciting tea blends; a job she absolutely loves. When her
mentor Simone unexpectedly dies, she leaves her part of the Tea Chest to Kate,
making her the new co-owner. Simone always kept herself busy with the business
side of things, but now it’s Kate’s turn to give it a try, especially as they
are opening their first ever UK store in London. Mark, Kate’s husband, is
supportive and will take care of their two young sons while Kate flies to the
other side of the world. In London, she meets Leila Morton, who has just lost
her job and is looking for a new challenge, and Elizabeth Clancy, who has been
betrayed by her husband, and her younger sister Victoria. Together the four
women want to do everything they can to make the Tea Chest store in London a
success, but it quickly becomes apparent it is no easy road to success...
I
immediately fell in love with the storyline of this novel. The Tea Chest is a
chain store with several locations in Australia, and in the book a new store
will be opened in London. I’m a big tea drinker, and I just really loved
Kate’s, the main protagonist, passion for tea, making new blends, and the
amazing ways in which the different Tea Chest stores were described. If the Tea
Chest really existed, I’d definitely be a regular customer! There’s definitely
more to this book than just the descriptions of a lovely tea shop, though. The
story is told from the perspectives of several women, each of them dealing with
their own individual issues and their goal to turn the Tea Chest into a
success. Each of the female characters had their own story to tell and really
added another aspect to the plotline, which I really enjoyed.
The book
focuses mainly on relationships: the relationship between husband and wife, the
relationship between sisters, the relationship between friends/colleagues. The
different storylines really complemented one another and I didn’t get bored
with any of it for even a second. Josephine Moon has managed to give the novel
her own personal touch and I personally really enjoyed her writing style. This
is a great debut novel and I’m curious to discover what else the author has in
store for us in the future. ‘The Tea Chest’ is a wonderful, well-written, light
read about love, friendship, and lots of tea; a read that comes highly
recommended!
9,0/101 July 2014
Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Favourite Classic Books
1. Jane Austen's work
I was doubting whether I would count Jane Austen's novels as 6 separate books, but in the end decided to just put all of her work together on the first place of this top 10. I'm a big Jane Austen fan and her books are definitely, without a doubt, my favourite classic novels of all time.
Next to Jane Austen, I'm also a fan of the work of the Bronte sisters. 'Wuthering Heights' is another classic with a romantic tale at its core and I can honestly say I've never read anything quite like it!
I have to be honest and say I first fell in love with the Disney film 'Alice in Wonderland' before I read the book, but Lewis Carroll's classic definitely deserves a place in this top 10.
Another one of my favourite books of all time!
Another Bronte sister in this top 10; 'Jane Eyre' is one of the first classic English novels I read while I was at secondary school and it's a story that has always stayed with me.
I'm a big Christmas fan, it's my favourite time of year, so it's no wonder this book is part of this top 10!
I remember having to read Elizabeth Gaskell's 'North and South' for one of my university courses, and this led me to another one of her novels, 'Wives and Daughters.' I ended up writing my thesis partly about this book, so it holds a special place in my heart!
Another classic of which I actually first saw the film, which led to me reading the classic book and falling in love with it.
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