Publication Date: 02nd July 2025
Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/CornishWintersKiss
Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/230120586-a-cornish-winter-s-kiss
Genre: Contemporary Romance
4 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming
Book Blurb:
It's the most wonderful time of the year...isn't it?
Emily Anderson
adores romance—both in books and in real life (though her own love life is more
‘tragic subplot’ than ‘happily-ever-after’). As an audiobook narrator, she
spends her days bringing love stories to life, convinced that one day, her own
perfect romance will come true.
Jude Cavendish thinks romance is a fairy tale for fools. A crime author with a serious case of
writer’s block, he’s horrified when his publisher asks him to add a love story
to his latest novel. He knows murders, mysteries, and mayhem—not grand gestures
and stolen kisses.
Desperate for
help, Jude reluctantly turns to Emily, whose sunshine personality is the
complete opposite of his grumpy cynicism. She’s determined to show him that
love is more than just fiction, and he’s determined to prove her wrong. But as
Christmas magic sparkles over the Cornish coast, Jude starts to wonder… what if
Emily’s right?
Could the festive
season bring them both the plot twist they never saw coming?
***
My Thoughts:
The story comes in Emily and Jude’s third-person POVs.
Is it time for Christmas reads? Who cares? I see a book with a snowy cover and title, and I grab it. ;)
I love that the book is dedicated to Emily, the
author’s editor. It’s a sweet gesture.
The first chapter could also be a prologue since it
shows the FMC’s career growth. This is a good way to share the backstory and
establish her character without a ton of info dump.
It is a small book, but it is on the slower side.
However, the story doesn’t drag much. It’s not exactly a love story and blends
with women’s fic, which works in its favor.
The romance is also a bit of a slow burn and closed
door, which again, aligns with the plot. It is a proper cozy read despite a few
heavy themes.
As you can guess, the book touches upon the hot topic
of the popularity of the romance genre, the disdain against it, etc. It also
highlights how the right audiobook narrator can elevate the emotions and take
the book to the next level. I read this often in my friends’ reviews.
The MMC is a proper grump, but he manages to show his
vulnerability enough for readers not to hate him for some of his comments. He
slowly learns, so that’s good.
The FMC is sweet, optimistic, and kind. It’s easy to
like her. We are told she’s only five feet and one and a half inches tall. But
this aspect doesn’t play into the plotline after the initial mention. Even on
the cover, you don’t see this. The guy would have to be 5’3” or so for them to
look like that couple (unless the FMC has four-inch heels to walk in the snow).
I am someone short (but taller than the FMC), and I prefer for short people's
representation to be more than just a mention.
The setting is beautiful, with the added charm of snow
and Christmas decorations. The side characters (FMC’s family and friend, MMC’s
stepmom, etc.) shine in their limited roles. They are supportive, friendly, and
good people.
The dogs, Rufus and Gary, are bonus sprinklers on hot
chocolate. They lighten up the mood quite a few times.
To summarize, A Cornish Winter's Kiss is a
heartwarming and cozy book about family, friendships, love, and hope. It should
make for a good autumn read, too.
Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood
Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion
about the book.
#NetGalley
***
About the Author – Jo Bartlett
Jo Bartlett is the
bestselling author of over nineteen women’s fiction titles. She fits her
writing in between her two day jobs as an educational consultant and university
lecturer and lives with her family and three dogs on the Kent coast.
Follow the
Author:
Facebook:
@JoBartlettAuthor
Twitter: @J_B_Writer
Instagram:
@jo_bartlett_author
Newsletter
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Bookbub Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jo-bartlett
***
This has been a stop on the #ACornishWintersKiss blog
tour by Rachel's Random Resources (@rararesources).
Thanks for stopping by!
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