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Anonymous
Posted October 21, 2012
For 2
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.T_Sinns
Posted September 11, 2012
Have you ever thought about how your life affects another person? How some place you go and something you do is heard or seen from other person? How your events intertwine in another person's life?
This is a captivating story of multiple people that have one connection. The Restaurant at The Mill. One thing meaning so much to so many different lives. Each life having its own trouble, fear and unresolved problem.
Can a marriage that was suppose to be happy ever after last much longer? Can a secrete stay a secrete or will it destroy the relationship that has just recovered from the last secrete? Second chances and teenage lovers once lost? And a ghost?
Each chapter is written from the point of view of a different person sharing with you what they see, think, say, believe and feel. You get to experience and connect with each character on deeper levels.
This is a book that you need to pick up. It may take a bit to really sink into the story but it is worth going from cover to cover and letting your mind join The Restaurant at The Mill.
Like ducklings to the water’s edge, They come, hungry and expectant To
take in the ambience And linger awhile in The Restaurant. A melting pot
of emotions And chatter fills the air, As we busily ferry plates To and
from the kitchen. Toasts and tears, Celebrations and sadness, We’ve
seen it all and know It goes full circle. The delights of each course
Make them stop for a moment, Conversation forgotten, To savor that first
heavenly taste. Success and smiles, Empty glasses and plates, Hunger
satiated and more, Another pleasant evening at The Restaurant. For me,
most memorable times and conversations have always taken place around a
wonderfully prepared meal and delightful company, whether at family
gatherings, holidays or just a special occasion. In the novel by Linn B.
Halton, The Restaurant @ The Mill which used to be a flour mill at
Huntingbridge in Gloucestershire involves the owners, Hilary Marks and
Ben Adams and six different encounters with six very delightful and
unique couples. This book is truly like getting six books in one
beautiful written novel. The book opens with a brief history about each
of the owners, first beginning with Hilary and her meeting with Ben
Adams, her business partner. Hilary had what she believed was the
perfect marriage with Josh, but then after a heartbreak she now views
things from a different perspective looking back on things. She
initially saw what she wanted to see instead of the reality of what was
really happening and who Josh was after all. In hindsight, it's always
easier to look back and see where the mistakes were made. How falling in
love too fast often comes with blinders on. Had she taken a different
approach to this relationship and slowed things down, perhaps she might
have seen the signs that he was cheating on her. Perhaps she could have
prevented opening her heart too quickly but once again love is blind
when you are deeply involved. Now if she could simply find a way to
trust a man again and realize they are all NOT like Josh! For now, she
simply has chosen to immerse herself in work and running a restaurant.
It is through this experience that her and Ben met and decide to become
partners. The novel then moves into introducing us to the couples,
first Sarah Lemington and her husband Michael Caringdale who received
the Inn as a wedding present in the early 1800's. It is Sarah's ghost
that the customers feel still lives at the Inn. It was called
Huntingbridge Mill during their time as the first owners of mill before
Sarah died in Michael's arms. He vowed never to remarry. It is believed
that she remained at the Inn in spirit because it's where she feels
closest to Michael and she was simply here to visit him. She didn't even
realize she has passed on. The book goes on to detail the lives of the
other couples at the mill during the seven years that Ben and Hilary
have been the owners and how they each have had an impact on one another
as well as a connection to the Mill; Charlotte and Nick, Grace and
Lawrence, Isobel and David and Sadie and Sam. But you'll have to pick up
a copy of this book to get to know their stories and how they are all
intertwined in a most delightful way! I received The Restaurant @ The
Mill by Linn B. Halton compliments of Reading Addictions Blog Tours for
my honest review and have to say, I really enjoyed this one. I could
completely imagine owning an renovated flour mill in the heart of a
hamlet in England and could hear the babbling stream that Linn describes
as they were beginning their business. A kitchen has always been the
heart of a home and for me as a book lover, this one really appealed to
my book lover's heart as well with the warmth and love she spent
creating her characters and each of their personal stories! I rate this
book a 5 out of 5 stars and can only hope Linn will write more like this
in the future.
"The Restaurant @ the Mill" is a well written, well developed
story of 6 couples, the restaurant and their challenges. Ms. Halton
pens her characters believable and interesting, with realistic
storylines behind them. A really nice read intertwined with romance,
mystery and a touch of ghostly paranormal happenings. This review is
based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review.
THESELF-TAUGHTCOOK
Posted August 17, 2012
Hilary and Ben opened The Restaurant @ The Mill together as business partners and distant friends. As time passed, their relationship deepened. Their restaurant developed a set of regular patrons whose lives and relationships also are chronicled. And in the background is Sarah, the original hostess of the Mill who has never quite left.
The Restaurant @ The Mill is a series of chapters chronicling the lives of Hilary and Ben, the owners, and their customers and friends, Charlotte and Nick, Grace and Lawrence, Isobel and David, Sadie and Sam, Thomas, and the aforementioned Sarah. Each chapter is written from the point of view of one of the characters with the chapter title giving a hint of the topic and direction of the chapter. The fascination of the novel lies within the growth of the characters as we watch Ben's personality develop, as we follow the relationship of Charlotte and Nick, and learn the fate of Sadie and Sam, as well as the others. This is a well-written novel with a fascinating premise. I think any reader will enjoy Isobel's burgeoning career as an author, and as a food blogger and fantasy restauranteur, I loved the restaurant setting. This was the first of Ms. Halton's novels for me, but I will be looking for them from now on.
Definitely a 5 star novel.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising*
achickwhoreads
Posted August 16, 2012
This is really a unique read. I wasn't sure how I was going to like it
at first because Hillary's story felt a bit 2 dimensional, but after a
few chapters as well as meeting the other characters that make up this
story, I found myself loving it. OK, how could you not love a book that
has one of the characters getting her ass burned on the oven? (I would
so do something like that). I loved how all the characters were
connected with The Restaurant @ The Mill and how their stories
intertwined. One of my favorite things about the book was the ghost,
Sarah who haunts the Mill, but not in a bad way. I loved how she touched
the lives of Grace, Lawrence, David and Ben. I also liked that the
Epilogue was told from her point of view. It allowed us to get a glimpse
at what was keeping her at the Mill. It is just a shame that in the end
she couldn't have gone into the light and be at peace. The Restaurant @
The Mill is a very clean read. Think of it like an extended Harlequin
Romance. The romance in the book is very light, the focus is more on relationships.
MissBethBC
Posted August 14, 2012
After reading The Quinessential Gemini, I was so ready to read The Restaurant @ the Mill! I was so delighted with reading this book....we are all people, we have our careers, our passions, our joys and our disappointments, but when reduced to our lowest elements, we all want to be loved and to be accepted by those who make our lives livable. Ben and Hilary own the Restaurant at the Mill, which includes a resident ghost walking the interior and peering into the fast paced lives and the pain filled lives that visit the mill. That would be Sarah, non intrusive but affected by the lives visiting the historical mill. Ben and Hilary, although married have communication issues. Ben is fearful and withdrawn and makes it difficult to communicate to Hilary how very much he loves her and appreciates her.
Sadie and Sam have a lot to work out as well. Sam used to be Sadie's sister, Mya's boyfriend, but now that Mya is gone, can she convince Sam to Love her? Visitor's to the inn include Grace and Lawrence who were young lovers torn apart by their families and are now coming together in their golden years. Grace has a secret she needs to share with Lawrence, but what will the revelation do to their second chance at love? Thomas lost his first love Catherine years ago also....now that he is wealthy and she is again single, will they be able to build a life together? Nick and Charlotte had it all when fate knocked a little harshly on their door...now they have a child and do not how to live together. Will they make it through the hard times? And then my favorite couple who visit the Mill, David and Isobel, married to their soul mates, children grown and David retires and is at loose ends. Isobel has become active in a writing group & questions why she is taken with a widower who she met while dogwalking...will she act on her attraction to him?
All these folks were developed in a very rounded fashion and you come away feeling like you really know them and can understand their individual fears and frustrations and you want them all to be happy....just as Sarah does.
I can not compliment Linn B Halton enough for sharing her amazing cast of characters with the reader...at least this reader. I want to be one of the gang at the mill. I'd like Sarah to try to sort me out. And one thing I noticed is that Chapter headings indicate what character is speaking and it's so much easier to follow what is being said by knowing that up front! I honestly recommend this book...it is all about love and how we struggle with honesty, overcoming our fears, and learning to live life to the fullest! Well Done ! Very well done indeed!
Anonymous
Posted August 10, 2012
The Restaurant @ the Mill by Linn B. Halton is a delightful novel about the relationships of six different couples and the restaurant that holds a special place in all of their hearts.
Hilary and Ben own the restaurant and they share both a professional and personal connection. Lack of communication and trust issues are two of the problem areas in their relationship. Their employee Sadie is finishing up her degree and she is at a crossroads in her life both professionally and personally.
An assortment of their customers are also experiencing challenges in their relationships as well. Charlotte and Nick’s fairytale marriage is slowly crumbling in the aftermath of an accident that forever changes Nick and leaves him struggling to overcome post traumatic stress. Reunited after a fifty year separation, Grace worries that her secret will ruin her relationship with Lawrence a second time. As Isobel and David enter a new phase in their lives, they must redefine themselves both as a couple and as individuals. Successful, middle-aged businessman Thomas gets a second chance with the woman he has loved since he was a teenager.
Ms. Halton takes a unique and refreshing approach to storytelling in The Restaurant @ the Mill. Each chapter is written in first person from a different characters’ perspective. This provides the reader with clear insight into their lives, their private thoughts and the emotions they are experiencing.
The Restaurant @ the Mill is well-written and quite compelling. The various characters are interesting, well-developed and at different stages in their lives. The issues facing them are believable and all of their story lines are wrapped up in a realistic manner. Linn B. Halton’s epilogue is the perfect ending to a truly wonderful novel.
Overview
Six very different stories, six couples linked by The ...