The Mini-Break by Maddie Please

Maddie Please returns to the blog today with a story of finding your place in the world, even if it comes at near forty with

The Mini-Break

Louisa has been finding much of London distracting and far too repetitive: meeting with the “gang’ to show of and be seen, drinking too much, finding every excuse NOT to write, even tired of the constant “lather, rinse, repeat” with live in boyfriend Benedict, now taking even MORE advantage of situations since he’s now paying his share by picking up the electric bill. With her sister now recovering from a knee injury and them both owing their agent / publisher a book, an offer of a house in Devon for a week of heads down work and remove from the distractions of London is just what the doctor ordered.

Well, not quite – mud, rain, cold and no food delivery in sight for two women who regularly order in or use pre-made meals from Waitrose as sustenance: the wine and snacks have gone well -but with a missing laptop cable, spotty wifi and general discomfiture being in “the country’ the two are having a less than productive, or enjoyable, getaway. But being back in London is no joy for Louisa either – and the one glimpse of the neighbor has her thinking of the country again – a few back and forth moments, a decision to sell her flat and some truly fish out of water moments where Louisa has ZERO idea how to cook, function in mud, or even manage to scale a fence – the struggles with life as she tries to sort out plotting, her own life and find what feels right – despite it being a mad choice.

There are no huge dramatic action scenes here – even the romance is rather sweetly awkward and odd as Louisa is facing many choices and challenges she’s never before addressed, and situations that, in her London life, were wholly inconceivable. Please does a lovely job of showing us just how Louisa is changing and seeing her life (and ‘friends’ ) in London as just what they are – not enough to make her happy after all these years. Both in her outlook and in her attitude, Louisa is growing up and changing, and the baby steps she takes are well detailed and feel plausible, even as many are late to arrive in the grand scheme. Louisa is finding her happiness and joy in a small Devon village – with a house on a narrow track, nearest store miles away and iffy (if not downright malicious) weather for many of the days…….

Title: The Mini-Break
Author: Maddie Please
Genre: Contemporary Woman's Fiction, Friendship, Humor elements, Romantic Elements, Second Chance, Setting: Britain, Small Town
Published by: Avon Books UK
ISBN: 9780008305222
Published on: 21 March, 2019
Format:eBook
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Pages: 256
Rated: four-stars

Heat:

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Sometimes you just need to get away…

Lulu has it all; a romance writer at the height of her career, she can often be found attending glittery parties or spending time with her good-looking, health-fanatic boyfriend, Benedict.

When writer’s block strikes she goes on a mini-break to Devon, which proves just the tonic she needs. But upon her return to London, she finds her usual perfect life in chaos.

Will escaping back to the countryside be the answer? And will life become even more complicated when Lulu runs into handsome, brooding farmer Joe?

A funny, feel-good and fabulous read that will take you on a trip you never knew you needed. Have you packed…?

A copy of this title was provided via Publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

About Maddie Please

Maddie Please was born in Dorset, brought up in Worcestershire and went to University in Cardiff.

After a career as a dentist, Maddie now lives in Devon with her exceptionally handsome and supportive husband. They have 4 adult-ish children all of whom have left home and are probably rather surprised by all this. She did warn them.

Maddie is a voracious reader, and would enjoy hoovering, defrosting the fridge and cleaning the windows but unfortunately she doesn’t really have time. She is very disciplined and sensible about her writing and she likes to write every day because it gets her out of doing the ironing.

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