Hmmm. Quite disappointed if I'm honest. I adore this author and I adore dogs so thought I would enjoy this book. It started off great and maybe later in the book it tells more of the main character but I'm afraid I had to give up at just 25%

This book is filled with utterly colorful and quirky people living in the small, sleepy village of Halfhidden (and happily reminded me of the small village in mid-Wales where I lived for a time). Izzy has just returned to her childhood home after working for a charity in India. She discovers her fiancé, Kieran, has his own selfish plans for her inheritance and has mapped out a future together entirely different from what she thought they had planned. An unfortunate incident with his father triggers memories of a fatal car accident she was involved in as a teen and shows Kieran not to be the man she thought, so she breaks off their engagement.
Izzy settles back into life in Halfhidden where she must help save her colorful aunt Deb’s “Desperate Dog” rescue as well as help her hold on to the home when the property gets a new landlord, Rufus, and help her good friends Lulu and Cameron with a regeneration project for the village. As memories from that long ago accident start to emerge she begins to think that she doesn’t have the whole truth about the incident and begins to investigate; meanwhile something starts to spring up between her and Rufus.
Will a relationship develop with Rufus, or will her fiancé try to get her back? Does she save the Rescue? Does she discover what really happened in that accident for which most of the town holds her to blame?
Did I say quirky? Creature Comforts is filled with fabulously quirky characters, all the sort that make a small village interesting. There are several storylines winding through the book, and the mystery of the accident had me racing to the end all while I wanted more of Izzy’s story – including more of Babybelle, the Newfoundland from Deb’s rescue that adopted a rather unwilling Izzy. This would make a lovely read for the beach (or another rainy weekend as we’ve been having).
I was provided an ARC by NetGalley and Avon UK in exchange for my honest review. ( )

Trisha Ashley's books are always good reads, immersing the reader in the English countryside and small villages. That said, this wasn't one of my favorites.
Izzy has returned to the small village of Halfhidden to open her textile business and live with her dog-crazy Aunt Debo. Izzy grew up here but her teenage years were marred by a fatal car accident of which she has no memory. She wants to remember what really happened, but there are a lot of secrets to bring to light first. Rufus is the new owner of the estate where Izzy and her aunt (and a lot of dogs) live. Though neither is particularly looking for romance, Izzy and Rufus gravitate towards each other as the new people in town.
Ms. Ashley always writes good stories about older women who are maybe ready to settle down. I certainly enjoyed this one though this one wasn't a particular favorite, 3 1/2 stars rounded up. Maybe I just read too many of her books in a row, but this felt a bit repetitive. Still, it's worth the read as are all her books. ( )

More a 3½ than 3 star read.

I've never read any Trisha Ashley before and I'll admit to thinking that from the covers (yes I know - never judge a book...) that her writing would be quite light, frothy and superficial. I'm pleased to say, it was not. While clearly in the chic lit genre, it had a warmth and depth that made the characters and the plot come alive.

Izzy has returned to her home village of Halfhidden to discover what really happened in a fatal driving accident she was held responsible for when she was 16, 19 years earlier. At the same time she is endeavouring to start up her new clothes business after splitting with her fiance, while also sorting out the finances of her Aunt Debo who runs a sanctuary for unwanted and homeless dogs. While some in the village are pleased to have her back, those involved with the accident are less than happy to be reliving the past.

The village she's returned to is attempting to re-invent itself as a tourist destination based on it's resident ghost and a few more imagined ones; while both Izzy's erstwhile fiance and her friend Lulu's past lover also make unwanted appearances so there is plenty going on. Throw in the newly arrived Rufus, who is the new estate owner as well as the newly discovered half brother (you'll need to read it) of the teenager who died in the crash and it has all the ingredients for tension, misunderstanding and hopefully love.

It was an enjoyable read, the village was an idyllic mix of craft gallery, hotel and cafe peopled with characters who were a mix of pantomime villains and wholesome heroes/heroines (both 2 and 4 legged) that had you rooting for a happy outcome and a final answer for Izzy as to what did really happen the night of the accident.

I received an ARC in return for an honest review



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Sissy: The fact that this is a novel by Trisha Ashley will tip you off right at the start that it's going to be a "fall into the story and love it" sort of read set in one of her bucolic English settings (Halfhidden, in this case).
Bubby: All in all, Creature Comforts is a delightful, entrancing romance with a touch of mystery. Just perfect. See full review at www.bubblebath-books.com ( )