When Mimi first visits her dad’s new home in the Cotswolds, she quickly falls in love with Goosebrook and its inhabitants. (Well, maybe not rude Henrietta, who lets Mimi walk miles in the rain rather than give her a lift.) There’s Paddy, with his flashing eyes and seductive charm. Friendly and funny Lois makes her laugh. And seriously gorgeous Cal is welcoming and charismatic. Mimi would be more than happy to return to Goosebrook if it means bumping into him again…

Time passes and Mimi comes and goes, and concentrates on her career. Yet as their lives continue to intersect over the years and emotions (or relationships) become tangled, it’s Cal who makes her feel most welcome whenever she does return to Goosebrook. But if he’s The One, will it ever be the right time for them both?

This book was both frustrating and fantastic. Frustrating because I just wanted Cal and Mimi finally figured out their relationship, but issue after issue kept popping up. Grrr!

However … Mansell created such a charming cast of characters that for as much as I wanted to find out what happened to Cal and Mimi, I also wanted to find out what happened to Marcus, Lois, and C.J. There was lots of heartbreak, but also so many mini-stories within the main story that I couldn’t skip anything. I wanted to see every step of the journey.

Like all romance novels, you know there’s going to be a happy ending, but this book’s subplots provide so many additional sigh-worthy sections. Predictable? A bit. But exactly the type of book I’d want to read when I need a pick me up. Plus, the British setting and dialogue are fantastic — it’s fun to pick up on some of the lingo. Brilliant!

*Rated PG-13 for language (several F-bombs). (Get your copy here.)