Blog Tour: The Perfect Moment by Alix Kelso

Released: 1st March 2019

Publisher: Lake Falls Publishing

Genre: Women's fiction / Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Is there ever a perfect moment to begin again in life? Ever since tragedy threw her life into turmoil, Laura has taken refuge in her waitressing job at Valentino’s restaurant in Glasgow’s leafy Fairhill. Serving lattes and lunch specials means she’s too busy to think about all she lost or the dreams she was forced to abandon. So when her beloved boss announces she’s selling the business, Laura is devastated. Hatching a plan to set her up with the local pub owner, Laura hopes the two of them will make a connection that might just change her mind. Recovering from betrayal and heartbreak, Bruce is also in hiding from the world and working in his uncle’s pub while he wonders how to restart his life. When Laura asks for help with her matchmaking scheme, he finds himself unable to refuse. She has a smile he can’t resist, no matter how much he wants to. But as their plan is set in motion, the matchmakers begin falling for each other. Yet Laura thinks she’s happy with her dull boyfriend and Bruce won’t risk another broken heart. As the future of Valentino’s hangs in the balance, can these two lost and lonely people find the perfect moment to start their lives again together? Treat yourself to THE PERFECT MOMENT, a sweet, feel-good, emotional romance about new beginnings and being brave enough to follow your heart.

My Thoughts:

Do you ever have those times where life gets a bit hectic and you want to escape into a light-hearted story with charming characters and an idyllic setting? This is the book for that.

I don't read as much women's fiction as I used to, but this premise set in a bustling Italian restaurant in Scotland sounded delicious (pun intended) and it was.

Laura is our main character, but as we follow her, the side characters really warm the pages - Natalie; the restaurant owner who is more like a mum than a boss, Keith; the pub owner who is charismatic but unlucky in love … Even the family of Bruce, the love interest, are well-developed and instrumental to the plot. Being a reader who tends to not enjoy an 'alpha male' type, I am always drawn to love interests who are more fleshed out, perhaps beaten down and world weary. Bruce was endearingly realistic in this way, and I always appreciate when the author doesn't spoon feed me and I have to work to figure out the plot as I read. That's something that I don't often find in women's fiction but Alix Kelso's writing style impressed me on that front.

As someone who has worked in customer service, the customer scenarios made me smile and I enjoyed how the setting was realistic but not idealised.

Overall, a really enjoyable, warm novel for anyone who likes Jenny Colgan or Veronica Henry. I'm excited that it's the start of a series, and will eagerly await the sequel. Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to be part of the tour, and to Alix Kelso and Lake Falls for sending me a copy for review. There are some awesome bloggers involved with this tour - have a look at the poster above and follow for updates - Happy reading.