*BLOG TOUR* Sunshine and Secrets by Daisy James

So today is day that Sunshine and Secrets stops by at Chapter and Cake on its Blog Tour!

Title: Sunshine & Secrets

Author Name: Daisy James

Previous Books (if applicable): N/A

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance

Release Date: 19th March 2018

Publisher: Canelo

When newly heartbroken, michelin-starred chef Millie Harper is offered a job overseeing the setup of The Paradise Cookery School she jumps at the opportunity. Leaving London and her memories of heartbreak behind she hops on a plane to the hilltop cocoa plantation in St Lucia.

But this beautiful island break might be more work than she’d expected…. With only two weeks to have the kitchen installed, cocoa pods going missing from the plantation and the notoriously relaxed island workmen to contend with, she’s going to need some help. Gruff but charming estate manager Zach Baxter, is only too happy to offer his opinions. As the two clash heads can they remain focussed on the job in hand and get the cookery school finished in time?

I do love a good location in a novel, and that is exactly what enticed me to want to read this book. St Lucia is the most luscious of back drops for this story, and it provides exactly the kind of escapism that both Millie Harper and the reader need. Set on a hilltop cocoa plantation, you can imagine the greenery, the warmth and you can almost smell that amazing aroma that you only find on a Caribbean island following the afternoon rainfall. Daisy James captures all of this perfectly, and it really does add to the story.

Now to the story itself. Millie Harper is heartbroken, and despite being a Michelin-starred chef, she finds herself working in a little patisserie in London as she tries to forget her heartache. When the opportunity arises to oversee the set up of The Paradise Cookery School, a new cookery school being set up by the celebrity cookery book writer Claudia Croft, Millie jumps at the chance to leave behind her those painful memories, if only for a couple of weeks.

The two weeks that follow involve sun, rain, some very relaxed workmen, a lot of cooking and the mystery of cocoa pods disappearing from the plantation. Millie finds herself working far harder than she expected whilst trying to ensure that The Paradise Cookery School is in a position to be the roaring success she knows it can be. Plus, what would a novel set in such a beautiful location be if there wasn’t a hint of romance thrown in for good measure? With both Zach, the estate manager of the plantation and the handsome Marc capturing Millies attention, could there be romance on the cards for her?

I really enjoyed Sunshine and Secrets. There was beautiful scenery, a great main character that was definitely relatable and just enough intrigue and mystery to make you want to keep reading. It is the perfect story to read whilst laying on a warm beach, or cuddled up under a blanket whilst its snowing outside, imagining the warm St Lucian sun on your face. I highly recommend this novel if you’re looking for a little escapism as it will draw you in and get you dreaming of balmy days in St Lucia. I will definitely be reading the next instalment in this series, Confetti and Confusion, as soon as I can get a copy!

Rating: 📖 📖 📖 📖

Thank you to Daisy James, Canelo and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. Thank you also to Canelo for providing me with the opportunity to be part of this Blog Tour!

Author Bio:

Daisy James is a Yorkshire girl transplanted to the north east of England. She loves writing stories with strong heroines and swift-flowing plotlines. When not scribbling away in her summerhouse, she spends her time sifting flour and sprinkling sugar and edible glitter. She loves gossiping with friends over a glass of something pink and fizzy or indulging in a spot of afternoon tea – china plates and teacups are a must.