This follows Tara, the owner of the hugely successful Chocolate Pot Cafe. After coming to the coastal town of Whitsborough more than a decade ago, to escape her past, and create a new life for herself, Tara has become a success. The price is, she has kept as disconnected as possible. She is a good boss, and is generous with her time, money and resources, but she now realises she has failed to connect with anyone on a personal level.

Tara is a complex and flawed Character, but it's not surprising considering all she has been through. I have to start by saying this isn't an overly festive read. The story is mainly set in November in the run up to Christmas. This is by no means a bad thing though as it means you don't have to feel guilty reading this at anytime of the year! Tara is mending a broken heart. So when she decides it's time for a change, she ups and moves to Whitsborough Bay, where she comes across The Chocolate Pot Café.

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Callie is a fantastic lead character who transforms into a beautiful strong woman with a better understanding of what a healthy relationship is. I can't help but think that these stories are based on some real-life events that Jessica Redland may have heard during her many years working in HR before becoming a writer. Born in Teesside in the United Kingdom, Jessica Redland would grow up with a keen interest in the written word. Developing this from an early age, she would continue with nurturing this passion on into her adult life, finding her voice all the while. Over time she would create a brand and approach that was very much her own, allowing her to become the writer she wanted to be. I like how she gets her what I call in novels ‘happy ever after’ from discovering peoples truths, and seeing the happiness that she does deserve / gets from when she opens up. And this is all within the first third of the novel.

Christmas is significant because behind closed doors, it reminds her of a terrible tragedy that meant she was removed from her home and after being moved from foster home after foster home she finally finds her place. A couple who have let her in and care about her. The couple have a biological child who is the perfect big sister or is she? And then there are the potential men who could be the ones to help Elise get over Gary for good. They include brothers Michael and Daniel, who couldn't be more different, as well as friend Stevie. Since this is fiction, and of course it wouldn't be anywhere near as interesting a story with just all that going on, there are then some hidden unforeseen complications too, just to really mess with Elise's head. Looking to start a family after twelve years of marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Elise soon finds herself single after being married to Gary for so long. That’s when she’s asked to be bridesmaid to her best-friend Sarah’s wedding, and she looks to put the past behind her. It’s here that she meets the also recently divorced Daniel, and she’s instantly attracted to him, but just can’t shake off the past. Will she be able to trust once again? Is Daniel too good to be true? What will happen as she sees herself finding hope at Lighthouse Cove? I really don't think you would have guessed at most of it if you tried, but slowly you get a picture of just what has made Tara the person she is today, while at the same time you see fabulous character development from her, and as the reader get a full idea as to what Tara is really like.This is the first Jessica Redland I have read (or listened to) and I was not disappointed. I found the characters engaging, and the story surprising.