Book Review: Honeybee Cottage by K.T. Dady

The last time Joey Walker watched Josh Reynolds leave Pepper Bay was three years ago.

She decided there and then that the next time he visited she would never in a million years, even if her life depended on it, sleep with him ever again. She was done with secretly being in love with him. She couldn’t keep falling into his arms every time he was around. Josh was never going to see her as anything more than a holiday fling, or a sure thing. She had made her decision and had happily stuck to it, but only because he wasn’t around. She soon realises just how hard keeping him at arm’s length actually is when he unexpectedly turns up just before Christmas.

Josh had always loved Joey, but he knew she never took him seriously. She had no reason to. Growing up, he only went to his grandmother’s family home in Pepper Bay for the summer. As an adult, he knew that the world viewed him as a playboy heir to his grandfather’s millions. This year, he was determined to prove just how reliable he could be. He was back, and on a secret mission to get Joey to fall in love with him, because she was all he had ever wanted.

*****

Joey hasn’t seen Josh since the last time he left Pepper Bay three years ago.

That’s when she decides that she’s no longer going to sleep with him ever again.

She’s also done being in love with him. She’s done with simply being his holiday fling whenever he decides to float into town.

Out of sight, out of mind makes this easier but her resolve is tested when Josh returns just before Christmas.

Josh loves Joey but she sees him as nothing more than a friend. She doesn’t take him seriously.

He’s determined to show how serious he is about her because she’s all he ever wanted.

Oh it’s December. I love Christmas settings in novels, especially at this time of year.

This is book two in the Pepper Bay series. When I pick up a series without reading the previous novels, in this case, Starlight Cottage, I always worry that I’m not going to know what’s going on. Not the case with this. It can be read as a standalone.

However, I think reading book one can enrich the experience of book two as Anna and Jake play a part in this novel too and I am certainly going to go back and read it at some point.

Plus, it’s an opportunity to spend more time in Pepper Bay.

Being from Bournemouth, I’m used to seeing the Isle of Wight in the distance so I loved that this book was set somewhere nearby and somewhere I’ve visited often. I love the sound of this village so much.

Oh Joey! I just wanted to hug her to be honest. Josh too for that matter. I don’t think I have been routing for characters whilst getting this frustrated with them at the same time. I wanted to bang their heads together. Haha. If ever there was an example of ‘lack of communication,’ it’s these two.

Both of them were real, relatable and likeable and I really wanted it to work out between them.

I also loved the other characters and hope we get to know them better in future books!?

This novel had me smiling, laughing, frustrated and emotional. I couldn’t put it down.

This heartwarming tale is about getting out of your own way and having faith. It’s also about the power of friendship, family and love. Plus, it has the magic of Christmas. Honeybee Cottage is perfect to curl up with so grab this book, a blanket, a hot chocolate and enjoy.

About K.T. Dady:

Author, reader, mum, chocolate lover, and a huge fan of a HEA. I was born and raised in the East End of London, and I’ve been happily writing stories since I was a little girl. When I’m not writing, I’m baking cakes or pottering around in my little garden in Essex, trying not to kill the flowers. I’m the author of contemporary romance, middle-grade, and the thought-provoking thriller about mental illness, The Focus Program.

Say hello via my website, Twitter and Instagram.

Click to buy Honeybee Cottage from Amazon UK and Amazon US.

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Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.