REVIEWED BY DEBS CARR
Newly-divorced Cleo Moon has packed up her few chattels and moved into an ancient caravan in the character-filled village of Lovers’ Knot. With no money, she soon finds a job as PA to Mimi Pashley-Royle, Lady of the nearby manor, Lovelady Hall. One night, whilst putting out her rubbish, she discovers Dylan Maguire, slightly the worst for wear on her doorstep. The Most Beautiful Boy in the World, whose job seems to be delivering luxury cars for Mimi’s husband has crashed a Bentley Continental and was hoping to find the previous occupant of the caravan for some tea and sympathy. Now his tuxedo is covered in the remnants of Cleo’s rubbish, so how can she refuse his request to use her bathroom?
Meanwhile, Elvi Reynolds meets Mimi’s son, Zeb at a party arranged to integrate the pupils of her grammar school and his public school. She has no wish to learn how to behave with members of the opposite sex, and is not in the mood for a party. However, despite their backgrounds being so different and their parents’ beliefs so opposite, Elvi and Zeb are unable to help their attraction to each other.
Each year, Mimi arranges the Harvest Home celebrations and as well as the other inhabitants of Lovers’ Knot, Cleo is expected to do her bit. Trying her hand at winemaking, Cleo decides to try the ancient recipes she’s found, presumably put together by Mad Molly, one of the previous tenants of the caravan. Dylan offers to help her source the required ingredients, and it’s when they start testing the results of their efforts that the magic starts to happen.
I love revisiting the characters from Christina’s different novels and once again we meet up with Mitzi Blessing and her daughters, as well as other amusing and well-created characters. It feels like you’re catching up with friends, laughing at the antics of eccentric characters one minute and saddened by reminders of Cleo’s painful experiences from her past the next.
Each year I look forward to reading Christina’s next book, and whether you want a summer holiday read, or simply a book that’s pure escapism, this is definitely one worth reading. I have no recollection of what happened during the weekend I was reading this book, as I was far too involved with Cleo Moon and Dylan Maguire to take any interest in anything else.
A perfect 10/10.
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