One Enchanted Evening: From the #1 bestselling author of uplifting feel-good fiction

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Meg is such an optimistic and enthusiastic heroine. Though Justin, is admittedly not my favorite. He pops around, here and there, and I kinda wish we could get into his head, (I understand why we can't). He can be frustrating, but he makes up to it, almost like-- pound for pound. He does grow on you and it does pay off in the end,..eventually. As expected, there is a happy ending which ties everything together nicely - it was enjoyable to witness Meg's journey come full circle by the end of the book. The characters in One Enchanted Evening are fantastic - each one is unique and lovable in their own way. I especially adored Ambrosine - she has such a big heart that you can't help but root for her throughout the novel. Her relationship with Meg was delightful and very special which made the story even better and it was wonderful to catch up with characters from past books. All the elements that make up a classic Katie Fforde novel are here. I always read her new books when they come out, though over the years some have not been as memorable as others. In fact, this is the first book of hers in recent years that reminds me of her early novels which I have read many times over. Justin and Meg may clash in the kitchen, but their chemistry is strong and there is enough interaction for their relationship to be credible. Do you have that one author where every time you get a new book from them it feels like you’re catching up with an old friend? Well that is what Katie’s books are for me (and my mum, her number one fan). I’ve wanted to have a book for Meg since we first met her in A Wedding in the Country so I’ve been super excited for this one since it was announced.

Katie Fforde - Book Series In Order Katie Fforde - Book Series In Order

From the moment I started reading One Enchanted Evening, I was hooked. The story starts with Meg arriving at the hotel in Dorset to work as a chef. The plot of this novel is excellent and there are twists and turns that keep you guessing along with plenty of adventures with Meg’s wonderful friends. One Enchanted evening is everything you need in a novel when the weather outside demands you snuggle under a blanket with a good book .' One Enchanted Evening is set in the 1960s, I did love the descriptions of Nightingale Woods hotel in the beautiful countryside of Dorset. The hotel was brought to life perfectly and I had no trouble imagining myself staying there in one of the charming rooms. Katie Fforde is excellent at creating worlds.Set in 1964, OEE follows the adventures of 22-year-old Meg as she sets off to help her mother run a small hotel in Dorset. It’s Spring 1966, Dorset. The owner of a hotel known as Nightingale Woods has passed away leaving the property to his sons Andrew and Colin and a mysterious third person, much to Colin’s distaste. Andrew has been running the hotel for two years but has to go to France to sort out some legal things regarding his father. Louise had been hired as a receptionist and office manager, but now it’s down to her to run the place. Andrew’s son, Justin, is only a short distance away so she can ask him if she needs to make any decisions, only problem is Justin thinks Louise is a gold digger and is after his father for money or the hotel. The last few chapters seemed a bit unedited. They chopped around with oddments of text that I think should have gone somewhere else, and they felt a bit rushed. But my biggest bugbear was the number of characters in the story, and particularly when another boatload turned up for the finale/closing image. Meg's friends are just darlings, they are so available and accomodating. Although honestly, I'd say I felt that at some parts (especially around the 60-75% sections), that they were perhaps *too available*to help her-- It sounds rather terrible of me to complain about reliable friends, but they were almost too-present to help should the need arise, given at such short notice and no matter the distance. It's just too good to be true. But yeah, it's fiction, and we are allowed to have super friends who can rearrange their plans to help you. But I guess as a reader, the down side of that is that you get used to the fact that they were ever present in her life, and you get complacent in a way that you never truly fear for Meg's challenges. I loved watching Meg, together with help of her mum, the staff (who are just as invested) and her friends, breathe new life into the hotel. It felt like I was catching up with old friends when first David then Alex & Antoine (swoon!), and the kids turned up to help and support Meg. This group of friends prove family isn’t just about blood.

One Enchanted Evening by Katie Fforde | Waterstones

The romance bit was also frustrating because I'm not such a fan of witholding information til the very end, so I didn't appreciate that we actually confirmed from Justin that he WAS with Laura, already quite near the end. Even with his feelings, it was always other people who spoke for him. I'm not a fan of that at all. because he was so silent about things, not clarifying his actions, I felt so confused for Meg.Meg had been about to to follow her dream and work at an exclusive restaurant in France, she wouldn't get paid but the experience would give her a good start in her chosen career.........this wasn't to be.