Book Review: The Chic Boutique on Baker St by Rachel Dove

The Chic Boutique on Baker St. is Rachel Dove's debut novel with Mills & Boon. Rachel is the proud winner of the 2015 Flirty Fiction Competition with Prima Magazine and Mills & Boon. A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing her, have a look here. Now, you can read my thoughts on the story: 

Title: The Chic Boutique on Baker St.

Author: Rachel Dove

Published: April 21st 2016 by Mills & Boon

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Amanda is making the idyllic escape to the countryside to find a new life. Ben is picking up the pieces of his life after his wife left. Could a chance encounter outside Amanda's 'chic boutique' set them on the road to renewed happiness? Shop owner Amanda leaves London behind for life in the country and find's love with local vet Ben in this fun, addictive winner of the Prima Flirty Fiction competition.

First of all I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Review: As soon as I spotted the cover of this book and read the blurb, I knew that it was going to be my kind of read. Who hasn't thought about leaving a boring and too demanding job behind and open a vintage, upcycling  and crafts shop in the idyllic countryside? Well, that's exactly what Amanda does after discovering her boyfriend with his secretary. I certainly couldn't wait to know more about her new adventure, especially when there's a sexy vet next door.

It turns out though that Amanda's dream is not that easy and she is up to a rocky star. The sexy vet is quite hostile towards her and the whole community is quite afraid of change so new comers are not exactly their cup of tea. But there's a group of ladies who seem to rule the village and when their "leader" takes a shine to Amanda, things start to get better. Especially when the ladies decide that she and the sexy vet would make the perfect couple.

During the story there's a lot of meddling from the ladies, that's something I really enjoyed. It had me chuckling more than once, reading about their plans and how subtle they were (not). But then, the love story kind of takes center stage and even if there are a few subplots, they are done and dusted quite quickly. I would have like reading more about the shop and about all the ideas Amanda wanted to incorporate, also more about village life and the festival they come up with to save a beloved building. 

But all in all, I really enjoyed this story. I found it really up-lifting and light-hearted with charming characters and scenery. Perfect to relax a couple of afternoons and enjoy a bit of romance.

Rating: 4 stars