A Room At The Manor is the third novel by British author, Julie Shackman. Lara McDonald has dreamt of owning her own tea room, but working at True Brew for the sharp and sour Kitty Walker is frustrating and disheartening. So it’s almost unbelievable when she gets that opportunity through the will of the crusty old former laird of Glenlovatt Manor. There are conditions, of course, but Lara is determined to vindicate Hugo Carmichael’s faith in her, even if his moody grandson, Vaughan is against the whole idea.

That tea room is to be in the Glenlovatt Manor house, as part of a way to save the estate from the ruin about to envelop it. Lara and her best friend Morven are supported by the current laird and a team of carpenters and decorators, and once they open, eager bakers. Lara also has plenty of other ideas to help finance much-needed repairs and ongoing maintenance at the Manor, although it does mean crossing swords again with the dark, handsome and brooding sculptor.

Shackman’s protagonist is a once-bitten romantic who manages to follow her dream and, despite her wariness, find true love by the epilogue of the book. Her support cast are all appealing, except for those we’re meant to dislike, although nasty Kitty is so exaggerated, the reader will wonder that she keeps any customers at all. Most readers will pick up early on a clue as to Hugo’s mysterious benevolence: it all makes for a slightly predictable but sweet story.

The use of a thesaurus is much in evidence at the beginning: it really is quite acceptable to use the verbs to say and to walk multiple times, even on the same page; not all instances need to be substituted (tapping for walking, four times?). And it is to be hoped that the final edit will trim off the excessive use of adjectives and adverbs initially to a less copious level. What redeems the tale are the mentions of the many different mouth-watering cakes, slices, pies, pastries, scones, muffins and quiches. This is a clean, cosy romance that will appeal to a wide readership.
This unbiased review from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen & Unwin