4.5 out of 5 Stars

Synopsis

A romantic comedy set against the backdrop of the 2014 Tour de France Grand Départ in Yorkshire.

In a lost corner of the Yorkshire Dales, Lana Donati runs a medieval theme restaurant, Here Be Flagons, with her brother. When she hatches a plan to boost business by getting the Grand Départ route to pass through their village, the small community must work together to convince the decision-makers they’re Tour material. Not easy when the cast of characters involved includes Lana’s shy, unlucky-in-love brother Tom, man-eating WI chair Yolanda, bickering spouses Gerry and Sue, arrogant TV star Harper Brady, and Lana’s arch-nemesis, former pro cyclist turned bike shop owner Stewart McLean, whose offbeat ideas might just cost them everything.

My Thoughts

This book was too hilariously cute. The whole thing was the breath of fresh air that I needed this hard, stagnant summer. I feel like I’ve been trying to slog through books that are trying to be too dramatic or complicated. This book held summer in its pages!

Just the right amount of drama with Lana and Tom trying to deal with the loss of their father,and broken hearts. But, it was the quirk that won me over! All of the characters are just the perfect amount of play wit, working off each other with their different personalities.

Gerry and Sue, who are the loving “adoptive parents” type who have been in Lana and Tom’s life forever, 

“Still, you do all right for a big girl,” Gerry panted as he pulled himself up and went to give her bum a squeeze.

“You want a slap?”

Gerry shook his head at us.”Can you believe it? Our time of life and the randy old cow’s after getting me into the kinky stuff.”

Tom snorted, “And the safety word is ‘Oh God, my hip!'”

And, Deano, the quirky chef that their father’s medieval restaurant “There be Flagons” (….classic),

“He disappeared, coming back a second later carrying a huge bit of topiary in the shape of a bike.”

‘Jean at the florist’s made it for us.’ he pointed as he put it down. To protect the ladies’ modesty. I’ve got bike pumps and helmets for us lads.’ He winked at Yolanda. ‘In a range of sizes.”

I squinted suspiciously at him. ‘Did you get this so you could use the caption “cracking bush”?’

He drew himself up. ‘Do you mind? I have some class, you know.’

‘Did you, though?’

‘I did, yeah.’

 were my absolute favourites out of the bunch. But,it was honestly hard to choose! There wasn’t a character I DIDN’T like. Even the arrogant and womanizing celebrity cousin, Harper Brady (…but, I’m going to save him until my review of book 2!)

All in all, this was just what I needed! If you need a fun, quirky, laugh out loud (CONSTANTLY!!) kind of read. THIS IS THE ONLY ONE YOU NEED….. Ok. Maybe book 2. Stay tuned for that review next week!!

Pick up your Copy!

Amazon U.S.

Amazon Canada

Amazon U.K.

Author Bio

Mary Jayne Baker grew up in rural West Yorkshire, right in the heart of Brontë country… and she’s still there. After graduating from Durham University with a degree in English Literature, she dallied with living in cities including London, Nottingham and Cambridge, but eventually came back with her own romantic hero in tow to her beloved Dales, where she first started telling stories about heroines with flaws and the men who love them.

Mary Jayne also writes uplifting, feelgood romances under the pen name Lisa Swift.

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A Bicycle Built for Two is Best Served with a Yellow Bicycle Cocktail

Ingredients

• 1/2 oz Elderflower liqueur
• 1/2 oz Yellow Chartreuse
• 4 oz Sparkling Wine
• Ice
• (optional) Lemon Twist for Garnish

Directions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Pour in the Elderflower Liqueur and Chartreuse and stir until well chilled.
2. Strain into a cocktail glass and top with the Sparkling.
3. Garnish with a lemon twist, if desired.
4. CHEERS!!