When I recently reviewed Two’s Company at the Forest Light Show (link to my review) I said that I was going to make a point of reading books by Margaret Amatt. Lo and behold, the next book she released, I was unable to squeeze in. So, here’s my review of her latest book, along with a renewed intention to do my best to review her future books. If you read just one, you’ll see what I mean as her books are quite magical.
I’m grateful to Rachel Gilbey of Rachel’s Random Resources for the tour invite and support and for arranging for my advance reading copy, which was gifted to me, in exchange for my honest review. You can read my thoughts below.
Synopsis
They didn’t forecast this!
When charismatic and handsome weather presenter Marcus Bowman walks back into Willow Roxburgh’s life three weeks before Christmas, her quiet job as an admin worker at the Old Schoolhouse residential care centre in Glenbriar is shattered. He’s not only the man she used to crush on, he’s also the one who thwarted her TV forecasting dreams.
But she’s no longer the anonymous studio assistant; she’s secretly Scotland’s new favourite weather forecaster, Rocky Rainman.
With the Schoolhouse facing closure, Marcus is on an assignment to drum up festive support. However, he’s discovered the internet sensation Rocky Rainman lives somewhere nearby and is determined to expose him after Rocky’s recent damaging comments on social media. Seeing Willow, the girl he used to obsess over, shakes his priorities.
When a blizzard hits, Willow and Marcus are snowed in, and she discovers her perception of him wasn’t as accurate as her forecasts. Marcus isn’t convinced it’ll be a white Christmas, but he’s determined to win Willow’s heart. Can their new love weather storm if he discovers her secret? Because how can there be a future for Marcus Bowman and Rocky Rainman?
Review
Oh my! There was so much to adore about this book. It captured my imagination and kept it cosy as this gorgeous love story unfolded. I knew that returning to Glenbriar would be a treat, and I wasn’t disappointed. The book starts in Glasgow, but soon the reader is transported to this quite magical setting that is filled with wonderful characters who may have featured in previous books. I can assure you that this book can be fully enjoyed as a standalone.
Both Marcus and Willow were delightful characters and gently developed as the pages turned. Both had endured judgement in their lives as a direct result of people making assumptions about their appearances. Marcus is assumed to be a womaniser because he’s devastatingly handsome, yet rarely seen in anything even vaguely resembling a relationship. Willow is doubly judged, both as a woman and because of her physical anomalies.
However, the main focus of the story centred on meteorology and the restraints of working in the media as opposed to the freedom to make predictions without fear of repercussions. This may not seem like a hugely romantic premise, but trust me, it’s perfect. With an enemies-to-lovers theme, Willow soon discovers that she may have judged Marcus too quickly, and perhaps was guilty of making stereotypical suppositions about him. Not for the same reasons, but I found the assumptions that were made about Willow were painfully relatable.
The ongoing feud between Marcus and Rocky Rainman was entertaining, and it was fun to see how Marcus reacted to Rocky’s taunts. I’d love to tell you that I learned a lot about weather predictions, but I really didn’t, other than gaining a real respect for the work that goes into the job.
This is a smashing book and I thoroughly enjoyed following Marcus and Willow’s story. Treat yourself to a few hours curled up with this book, you’ll be glad that you did.
Author Bio
Margaret is a Scottish author and chocolate lover who has been writing stories for over twenty years
(possibly more if you count her primary school efforts). Her early works will never see the light of
day and are locked in dusty vaults on some old floppy disks. But after all those years of practise,
Margaret released her first novel A Winter Haven in 2021. This is the first of a ten-book series set on
the gorgeous Scottish Isle of Mull. Margaret has also written six books in The Glenbriar Series with more planned for 2024.
The stories are unashamedly romantic but with lots of drama and an eclectic mix of characters. Each
book can be read as a standalone but followers of the series will enjoy catching up with the characters.
Social Media & Weblinks
Please take a look at the other stops on this gorgeous tour
Book Escapes with BabsW67 
Sounds lovely! ❄️
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It really is 😊
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