I love this author! I have loved all her books and just can’t wait for the next one to come out. Lots of smiles and laughs while reading this one, set in Cornwall UK

As an avid lover of all things craft myself this book was meant to be read by me!

Kate leaves behind a difficult life in London and follows her dream to open a craft shop in Cornwall with her daughter. The shop sells a bit of everything but when a new shop opens up dedicated to art supplies, Kate feels that her idyllic dream is about to come to an end.

What she doesn't know is she is the middle of another dream.

Jack, new owner of the art supplies shop is a force to be reckoned with, you need to look past the arrogant defence to see the kind-hearted man he can be. But still Kate is worried about what this shop will do to her business.

Kate and Jack are drawn together when it turns out some ramshackle old painting easels and an old vintage sewing machine from a house clearance appear to be telling a story of their own.

Back to the 1950s and we watch the original owner of the craft shop that Kate owns - Clara and how her and her daughter, Maggie have ended up in Cornwall. We meet Freddie and Arty and somehow this story as it plays out is related to the present day and it seems that some lives are running in parallel to the modern day story.

Will Kate and Jack solve the mystery?

Will the truth finally be told?

Added into this is minor characters, Ben, Sebastian, Anita and Julian who all pull the strands of this story together to make it a wonderful read to curl up with. Humour and love in abundance.

The mystery was sublime and whilst perhaps not really possible added to the story and swept me away to the past and kept me very much in the present. You will need to read the book to find out what it is!

Without a doubt these Cornish tales that Ali McNamara weaves are some of her best and I look forward to returning there soon.

Cute story but sooooo boring and predictable... The characters were nice but the dialogue was very cringe, so I would not recommend it.

I'm not sure what to say about this book without spoiling the plot, but I don't think I've ever come across any person that reacts as unrealistically to the situations they are confronted with as the characters in this book.

üks neid raamatuid, mille suurimaid voorusi on, et ei ole liiga pikk ja edeneb kiiresti. mõni tund pühapäeva ja läbi ta ongi ja ei olnud ju otseselt halb, lihtsalt selline... kergekaaluline.

muidugi nagu kõik teised pastelltoonides kaantega raamatud, mille pealkirjas on sõnad "raamatupood", "lõngapood", "käsitööpood" või "kohvik", on seegi siin süüdi jaekaubanduse idealiseerimises. ah et ostame aga kõik (aga eriti teismeliste lastega üksikvanemad!) endale kõrvalepandud säästude eest maalilises rannakülas poekese ja võtame palgale kaks töötajat (kellest ühtlasi saavad me parimad sõbrad) ja äri muudkui õitseb ja kliente muudkui tuleb ja kirg ja töö püsivad kenas tasakaalus. ahah. siin raamatus on päriselt maagilisi elemente ka ja need on PALJU usutavamad, kui see ärimudel :D

aga noh, muidu nunnu. armastust ja sõprust ja kogukonda ja labradore ja kõike sellist hubast jagub siin küllaga. ja siis väike kõrvallugu teisest ajastust, mida saab avastada ja harutada, lõpuks muidugi õiglus võidutseb ja kõik elavad siiamaani õnnelikult, kui nad veel ära pole surnud.

"Welcome to the gorgeous Cornish town of St Felix, where there's magic in the air...Things happen which can't always be explained"

It wouldn't be summer without an Ali McNamara book as far as I'm concerned. I have read one in each of the past five years and loved them all. It won't surprise you then to hear that I loved this one too! I was delighted to see that this book sees us returning to the Cornish town of St Felix, the setting for some of the author's previous novels.

Kate and her daughter moved to the little town of St Felix partly so Kate could put some distance between herself and a controlling ex, but also so she could fulfil her dream of running a craft shop. She has settled in well and enjoys being part of the community. When she discovers that there is a new art shop going to open nearby she worries that this will threaten her business. However, she and the new owner Jack soon become friends although not without some tension between them. When Jack acquires an easel from a house clearance and Kate an old Singer sewing machine, St Felix works its magic and some strange things begin to happen, revealing secrets from the past.

This was a such an enjoyable story to read. Although some of the mysterious things that happen are, let's be honest, unlikely, I would so love to think that they could happen. I liked that in this story we got a glimpse into the past too and the connections with previous residents, their stories echoed by those in the present day. The town of St Felix is such a great setting and you get a real sense of the strength of community in this harbour town. There is, as I would expect, a gorgeous romance or two at the heart of the story too. However, it's not always light reading with living with disabilities, and controlling relationships also explored.

I'm adding St Felix to my list of fictional places I'd love to visit. Not only does the little town sound gorgeous, there's always that hint of magic in the air. Kate and Clara's Curious Cornish Craft Shop is an enchanting, heart warming and 100% feel good story. Give this a try and see if you fall under the spell of Ali McNamara'e writing too!

Ali McNamara’s “Kate and Clara’s Curious Cornish Craft Shop” is a delightful and heartwarming novel that transports readers to the idyllic setting of a Cornish coastal village. With its enchanting storyline, endearing characters, and celebration of creativity, this book is a delightful escape that captures the spirit of friendship and the power of following one’s passions.

The story revolves around Kate and Clara, two best friends who open a craft shop in the picturesque village of St. Felix. As they navigate the challenges of running a business, they discover the magic of their craft and the transformative power of creativity. McNamara’s writing style is immersive and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the charming village and the whimsical crafts that fill the shop. The author’s love for Cornwall shines through, adding an extra layer of enchantment to the narrative.

The characters in “Kate and Clara’s Curious Cornish Craft Shop” are wonderfully relatable and endearing. Kate and Clara’s friendship is the heart of the story, filled with warmth, support, and shared dreams. The supporting cast, including the quirky villagers and the intriguing customers who visit the shop, add depth and charm to the story, creating a sense of community and camaraderie.

McNamara beautifully captures the essence of creativity and the joy it brings. The craft projects and workshops featured in the book are described in vivid detail, inspiring readers to embrace their own artistic endeavors. The book celebrates the power of handmade creations, fostering a sense of inspiration and encouraging readers to tap into their own creative passions.

The pacing of the story is gentle, allowing readers to savor the enchanting atmosphere and the evolving relationships between the characters. While the plot may follow some predictable beats, the author’s skillful storytelling and the genuine warmth infused in the narrative make it an enjoyable and comforting read.

In summary, “Kate and Clara’s Curious Cornish Craft Shop” is a charming and enchanting novel that celebrates friendship, creativity, and the magic of following one’s dreams. Ali McNamara’s evocative writing style, relatable characters, and celebration of the power of handmade crafts make this book a delightful choice for those seeking a heartwarming and uplifting read. If you’re looking for an escape to a quaint coastal village filled with creativity and friendship, “Kate and Clara’s Curious Cornish Craft Shop” is a perfect choice that will leave you feeling inspired and uplifted.