Hi sweet friends, happy March! To me March kicks off Spring which is my second favorite season after Autumn . I adore Spring and all it encompasses. Growth, renewal, flowers, longer days etc. You’ll see soon enough on here my love for all things floral and spring. I do know that many places unfortunately don’t experience spring weather until later on but at least it’s on the horizon right?! What are some of your favorite parts about spring? Have a favorite recipe? Or thing that you wear? Or activity that you do? Let me know!
But today, I am back with a book review! If you are new to me or my blog then you might not know I am big bookworm and avid reader. I share my love for books and reading over on my IG (@spoonfulsofcozy). So if you too love to read and feel warm and cozy come on over and join me. I mentioned over there that I mostly read what I call cozy romance. They often tell a tale of heartbreak, having to step away from a life they thought they’d live, find their true path and fall all along the way. They are sweet and feel good reads and I adore reading them!
Over on my IG ( I know keep mentioning it sorry) but I want it to be consistent, when I review books I give it a rating out of 5 spoonfuls. Get it?? Spoonfulsofcozy rating books out of spoonfuls 🥄 instead of stars? I think you get the idea! For the Little Swiss Ski Chalet by Julie Caplin I give it 3.5 spoonfuls 🥄. I typically am pretty easy going with my rating of books because I can find something I enjoy in each book but I am trying to be a bit more accurate. This book was sweet and cozy as expected but (of course there’s a but) it was a bit too predictable. If you have read her other books like The Little Cafe in Copenhagen then this book followed the same form a little too closely. There was similar phrasing and character set up in both and that bummed me out a bit. I do understand as an author there is a fine line between keeping your books close in form to maintain your style and voice and them being too similar where it can seem almost like the same book with a different setting and character names. It’s a hard balance to maintain. I hope to not be being too hard on this book but I was incredibly excited for it and waited awhile for it to be released only to find it a bit too predictable and similar to her other books.
Now onto what the book is actually about so you can get a real taste if you’d like to read it. Main character Mina is a food technician in England and crazy for trying new things and flavor combinations. She thinks her life is about to all fall into place when she decides to surprise her boyfriend with a proposal at her Mexican food themed party; just to find out not only does he not want to marry her but is sleeping with her best friend. After her friends accidentally posted the video they took of the proposal disaster and it going viral Mina decides to escape to the Swiss Alps where her Godmother runs a Chalet. Heartbroken and needing to figure out her life she thinks there is no better place to do so than the land of the best chocolate. Mina takes off and arrives only to almost miss her train due to her excursion to try some of the chocolate everyones been talking about when a man gets her onto the train to the chalet with only moments to spare. Clinging to him, Mina looks up to thank the man that helped her make the train and is awe struck at how gorgeous he is. Mina not being able to help herself decides to sit with him on the train journey and tries to talk herself out of liking him the entire time. With a little love, chocolate, and serendipity will Mina finally figure out what she wants for her life and who she wants to spend it with? Read it here if you are interested!
I hope this review inspires you to read even if it isn’t this book. Diving into to a book has always been a solstice for me but especially during this last year/pandemic. Getting to jump into another world for a bit has helped me cope with all that’s been going on. Let me know what you’ve read lately and loved. I am always looking to add to my TBR!
-M
Whimsy & Willow 