With a moody teenage daughter and a crazy sister to contend with she’s already got her work cut out. The trouble she soon discovers, is that guests have undesirable habits, annoying pets and endless demands. ‘Is it bloody worth it?’ she asks herself a dozen times a day. Janet gradually learns her trade - but not without being tested to her limits. The question is: will she come through the experience with her bank balance, cottage and her sanity intact?
Hugely entertaining but a word of warning: if ever you’ve thought of running a B&B, read this hilarious debut novel first– you might want to think again! ... Synopsis
How would I describe Lavender Cottage? ... First Sentence, The Beginning Bit
The tale of what happens when Janet Jackson {NO! Not that Janet Jackson} decides to covert her 'annexe' {read her garage} into a Bed and Breakfast ... albeit one that after the first guests to stay does not serve breakfast for as Janet explains 'I know its not really a B&B. Its self-catering, but S&C doesnt have quite the same je ne sais quoi as B&B' Pg 101
From Janet, a woman of a certain age, who I readily related to, to Chloe {Janet's daughter} who is largely your typical teen, to Maureen {Janet's sister} who is, Hmm! Let's just leave it as that Maureen is definitely one of life's characters, to the visitors who stay at the B&B, I have to say I enjoyed ALL of the characters immensely as whilst OTT {some of them more so than others} they were always believably so.
Hugely entertaining, its chapters sharp and snappy which suited the diary-like entries perfectly. Janet Jackson's Yorkshire B&B is a wonderfully warm, witty, emotive, dramatic, well observed study of human nature that is written in such a way that we, the reader, feel as if we have been welcomed into Janet's home to have a right good gossip about not just the latest visitors to stay at Lavander House {yes, Lavender is spelt incorrectly but then 'Lavandar with an a gives it an edge, a little touch of uniqueness' Pg 4 ... or at least Janet thinks so} but also about Janet's life in general; her family, friends, colleagues, nosey neighbour, Maureen's latest manfriends, its all in there.
Oh and then there's the wonderful addition of the homespun wisdom on everything from Tips On Family Life {'Avoid ex-husbands living on your drive if at all possible' Pg 106} to Tips For Running A B&B {'Don't get emotionally involved with the guests, remember they are paying for B&B only. Not therapy' Pg 130} through to Tips On A Teenage Daughter {'Accept your daughter/s will have sex. Its horrendous to contemplate. Sorry. I don't know how else to prepare you.' Pg 147} that ends each chapter.
A book that has you thinking 'just one more chapter' whilst knowing that you are going to finish it all too soon, I sooo hope we are going to hear more, much more from Janet.
