Stilleto Heels or Bicycle Wheels? by Lindsey Paley

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Name: Stilleto Heels or Bicycle Wheels?
Author: Lindsey Paley
Format: kindle edition
Pages: 203
Release date: 15th February 2014
Publisher: self-published

Teaser

When stressed out New York executive Rosie Hamilton inherits her Aunt Bernice’s run-down cottage, it couldn’t have come at a better time. With her love life, if she could call it that, exploded in her face and suspension from her job swinging through the corporate jungle, she reckons a couple weeks in Devon could be just the escape she needs from the glamorous, yet trauma-strewn landscape of her life in Manhattan.

But life hidden away in the thatched lodge is dull and how can she contemplate tackling the jungle of a garden in her Louboutins and Armani skirt suit?

Rosie, uncomfortable with the invasion of privacy masquerading as community spirit, yearns to return to her old life of social indifference, until she stumbles upon her aunt’s old, hand-illustrated recipe book .With no other activity to occupy her time, she bakes, bakes, bakes as if her life depends on it. With no form of transport either, Rosie takes to the road on Bernice’s ancient bicycle, warm Devonshire scones in the wicket basket up front.

She even has time to date! Austin, her aunt’s handsome, sharp-suited solicitor is straight from her New York wish list of boyfriend material; and Charlie, the local luxury Spa Hotel’s general maintenance guy, definitely not her type, irritatingly chirpy and lacking in life’s ambition.

With recipes from Aunt Bernice’s own baking book for you to try at home; Corporate Manhattan or rural Devon? Austin or Charlie? ‘Stiletto Heels or Bicycles Wheels?’ Which would you choose?

My thoughts

I kindly received Stilleto Heels or Bicycle Wheels? in exchange of an honest review by the author.

Thank you very much to Lindsey Paley to offer me to read and review her book. I was expecting a light, heart warming, romantic, quick read. That's what I got. I love how the story perfectly fits with the cover. It' such a pretty one.

Rosie Hamilton, our heroine in this story, is living and working in Manhatten for Harlow Fenton Business to buy and sell shares for the wealthy investment clients.

Rosies world is crashing down when she receives a call of her aunt's lawyer who informs her with the tragic news that she has passed away. She is in a total shock because she had a very good relationship with her aunt Bernice. Rosie also lived a couple of months in her aunt's cottage in Devon, UK.

Rosie has been through a marathon to organise her sisters, Freyas, wedding of the year. Numourous travels to taste and select menus, to advise on table decor, flower arrangements, wine list and more.
After the wedding Rosie has to leave Manhatten to attend the funeral in the and organise the sale of her aunts cottage. Rosie has to make a lot of important desicison.

Hectic Manhatten or rural Devon? Stiletto high heels or her aunt’s old bicycle? Choosing between a loveless relationship and being alone, between fixing all her loved ones problems or letting them bear the consequences of their decisions. Rosie knows that some decisions should be made with the brain and some with the heart, but often she has trouble knowing which organ to apply to which decision. The results are often painful and this provides the drama and the warmth of this book.

Rosie is a very likeable character. I liked her from the beginning on and I could bond with her easiely. I know how tragic it is to loose a beloved family member. Sometimes I was not very happy with her decisions and how she reacted in some situations. In my opinion the ending was too predictable and too much cliché.

The recipes of Rosie's aunt are a beautiful addition. I love baking so I might try one of them one day. Lindsey's writing style is different from what I've read so far. Beautiful, artistic and detailed.

A recommendat read.