Staying at Daisy’s

In the absence of a gavel, Hector MacLean seized a heavy glass ashtray and rattled it against the mahogany-topped bar. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please. Quiet at the back there, you Aussie riffraff. I feel the need to propose a toast. Over here, darling, over here.’ Beckoning Daisy towards him, he slung an arm round her waist. ‘And now would you all raise your glasses… to my beautiful daughter.’

‘To your beautiful daughter,’ chorused everyone in the room, causing Daisy to roll her eyes.

Honestly, did he have to be quite so embarrassing?

‘You missed a bit out,’ she told him. ‘What you actually meant to say was “To my beautiful, intelligent, and staggeringly hard-working daughter, without whom this hotel would crumble and go out of business within a week.”’

‘All that. Absolutely. Goes without saying.’ Hector gestured expansively with his tumbler of Glenmorangie. ‘Everyone here already knows that. Just as they know you’re also stubborn, bossy, and incredibly lacking in modesty. But I’m still proud of you.

Considering all you ever did at school was smoke and play truant, and your mother and I never thought you’d amount to anything, you’ve turned out pretty well. And now, for my next toast, I’d like you all to raise your glasses once more to dear old Dennis.’

‘Dear old Dennis,’ they all bellowed back at him, even those guests who hadn’t the foggiest idea who Dennis was. That was the thing about Hector MacLean, his enthusiasm and joie de vivre was infectious.

As usual, Daisy marveled, and in no time at all, a quiet gathering for a few drinks had turned into an impromptu, rip-roaring party. It wouldn’t be long now before her father called for his accordion and got the dancing underway. The fact that they were all supposed to be taking advantage of these few relatively peaceful days—the Christmas guests having departed and the New Year’s Eve ones yet to arrive—was of no consequence to Hector. The fact that it was December the twenty-eighth was, as far as he was concerned, a good enough reason to celebrate. Why take it easy when you could be having fun?

Daisy, glad that her spritzer was nine-tenths soda water, eased herself onto a bar stool while her father greeted a couple of late arrivals as though they were his dearest friends.

‘At last! How marvelous! Listen, we’re in danger of having a bit of a knees-up—either of you two handy with a piano?’

One of the Australians materialized at Daisy’s side as she was busily lining her empty stomach with cashews and roasted almonds.

Not ideal but better than nothing.

‘Your dad’s a character. When this place was recommended to us, we thought Jeez, some old country house hotel full of la-di-da tweedy women and pompous old colonel types, no way. But our friends promised us it wasn’t like that here, and they were right. This place is great.’

‘You may change your mind,’ said Daisy, ‘when my father gets his bagpipes out.’

‘You’re kidding!’ The Australian’s face lit up. ‘He actually plays the bagpipes?’

‘No. He just thinks he can. If you know what’s good for you,’

Daisy whispered, ‘you’ll persuade him to stick with the accordion.’ He laughed, even though she hadn’t been joking.

‘And who’s this other guy we just drank to, dear old Dennis? Is he someone else who works here?’

‘Ah well. Dennis is our benefactor. Without him,’ Daisy explained, ‘we wouldn’t have this hotel.’

‘You mean he owns it?’

Behind the bar, Rocky casually flipped a tumbler into the air and caught it. No one was currently drinking cocktails but he did it anyway. Grinning at Daisy, he began to whistle a catchy tune.

‘You probably know Dennis,’ Daisy told the Australian. Tilting her head in Rocky’s direction she added, ‘If you recognize that song, you definitely know him.’

Standing next to the Australian, Tara Donovan joined in the whistling. The Australian frowned. ‘It’s that kid’s thing, yeah? Dennis the Dashing Dachshund? I’m sorry, you’ve lost me.’ Unable to help themselves—they’d started so they’d finish—Rocky and Tara whistled and jiggled their way through to the end of the song.

‘My father may not have been blessed with many brilliant ideas in his lifetime,’ Daisy said fondly, ‘but twenty-five years ago he had an excellent one. He came up with Dennis.’

‘You’re kidding! Are you serious? That’s incredible!’ The Australian slapped his knee in delight. ‘I used to buy those books for my kids.’

Rocky was well away now, tap-dancing behind the bar and singing under his breath, ‘My name is Dennis, the dashing dachshund,’ because Dennis danced like Fred Astaire and Rocky liked to show off the fact that he had been to stage school.

Actually, Daisy amended, he just liked to show off. Then again, it was why she had hired him in the first place.

‘Dad used to make up stories for me when I was small,’ Daisy told the enthralled Australian, ‘about this effeminate dachshund. But I didn’t know what he looked like so Dad started drawing pictures of him. I took the pictures into school, told the stories to my friends, and the next thing we knew, all the mothers were asking where they could get hold of these Dennis books their kids kept pestering them for. So Dad sent his stories off to a publisher and they snapped them up. Then a TV company got involved and Dennis fever took off—soft toys, games, pajamas, the whole merchandising malarkey. All from one dear little idea. Dad sold the rights five years ago and bought this place,’ Daisy concluded. ‘So you see, we owe everything to Dennis.’

‘I used to have a Dennis the Dachshund duvet cover,’ Rocky put in cheerfully. ‘And Dennis slippers with ears on them that waggled when you walked.’

‘I had Dennis everything.’ Daisy groaned and pulled a face.

‘By the time I was nine it was embarrassing. All I cared about then was Madonna.’

One of the late arrivals was being persuaded to go and fetch his harmonica; he might not be able to play the piano but, Hector assured him, a mouth organ would do just as well.

‘I love this place,’ exclaimed the Australian. ‘I must go and talk to your dad.’

‘Are you all right?’ Rocky leaned across the bar and lowered his voice as the man moved away. ‘You look a bit… knackered.’

‘Me? I’m fine!’ Daisy realized he’d caught her off guard for a moment. What was the difference between putting on a brave front and telling a great big bare-faced lie? ‘Of course I’m fine, why wouldn’t I be?’

Rocky shrugged, reached for the silver tongs, and lobbed a couple of ice cubes into a tumbler.

‘Thought you might be missing Steven. When’s he back?’

‘New Year’s Eve.’ Scooping up another handful of nuts, Daisy gave him a bright smile. Rocky wasn’t wild about Steven, she knew that, and he might even have an inkling about the events of the previous week, but there was no way in the world she was going to blurt out the whole story. She hadn’t told a soul. Not Tara, not even her own father. For now, she just had to carry on as if nothing was wrong.

‘Because if you’re feeling a bit lonely, I know just the thing to cheer you up.’ Rocky waggled a playful eyebrow as he said it, flashing her his naughtiest Robbie Williams smirk. ‘I’m young, single, and available. Not to mention totally irresistible.’

Rocky was twenty-three, with a wicked smile and a peroxide crop. His favorite band was Oasis, which meant she could never fancy him in a million years.

‘It’s really kind of you to offer.’ Solemnly, Daisy patted his hand.

One of the reasons I love Jill Mansell’s book so much is her characters. She really makes you care about them and Daisy MacLean is no exception in Mansell’s latest Sourcebooks release, Staying at Daisy’s. A young widow who runs a hotel owned by her father, Daisy fights her attraction to a guest at a recent wedding reception, the charming rugby star, Dev Tyzack. The development of their relationship is the core of the story, but Ms. Mansell’s subplots are another of her strengths. They feature an endearing mix of characters, each of whom is caught up in romantic circumstances fraught with complications, from Daisy’s friend Tara, who is having an affair with her now married former boyfriend, to young Barney, recipient of one of Daisy’s late husband’s kidneys, each has a part in this enjoyable and heartwarming tale of love and life.

The area of Bristol is familiar territory for fans of Ms. Mansell, and once again she depicts it so effectively that the reader is left with a feeling of having actually walked beside the characters throughout the story and breathed the same air they did. The hotel is a character in itself, charming and a welcome refuge for its many guests.

The plot and subplots move along smoothly, integrated so well that when the many threads come together towards the end of the book, the conclusion feels natural. There are plenty of surprises along the way, as well as a fun story line featuring a dog named Clarissa. While there is much to enjoy in this novel, there is a serious undertone that gives it depth, as several characters must face some truths about themselves and the way they’ve chosen to live their lives. Daisy especially has to decide whether to hold on to the past or let it go and begin anew with a man who appears ready to dedicate himself to her and her alone. They never fail to make me care and, dare I say it, even grow a little along with her characters .

So, for those of you who are looking for an entertaining, emotionally satisfying read, I highly recommend you seek out Staying at Daisy’s.


Jill Mansell continues to be one of the best writers of witty women’s fiction. In Staying at Daisy’s, the hotel business is never dull even in a tourist trap like Colworth, England, particularly if the owner and his daughter are running the show. Daisy is straight-laced and in charge, while her father, Hector, continues to sing and dance with the guests and be the life of the party. Daisy’s best friend Tara, the chambermaid, continues to struggle with her love life and falls into a familiar role with a past lover, while the new porter, Barney, has fallen in love with a woman from Daisy’s past. Mix it all together with two desirable men, Josh and Dev, and Staying at Daisy’s is bound to lighten readers’ moods and ensure at least a dozen laughs and smirks.

“‘Which just goes to show how brilliant my choice is when it comes to men.’

He half smiled. ‘That’s not true. You used to have excellent taste.’

‘Whereas you went for quantity rather than quality.’ Daisy couldn’t resist teasing him. ‘Anyway, never mind all that. How long are you down here for?’

Josh shrugged and ruffled his hair. ‘I’m easy.’

‘We already know that.’” (Page 167 of ARC)

Daisy has always been on the lookout for the perfect man . . . her #10 even when she was dating a great guy. Ironically, her husband may have looked like a #10, but his personality was far from it. Her foil in terms of dating and relationships, Tara, goes for any man that pays her the least bit of attention, even if he is a scoundrel and already married. In a way, Daisy’s father, Hector, also acts as a foil to her responsible nature as he gets drunk and serenades the guests with his not-so-great singing voice and his bagpipes. Daisy can learn a lot from Tara and Hector. She needs to loosen up and let her hair down, but she plays things close to the vest.

Mansell keeps you guessing with Daisy and Hector with Daisy waffling between her two male interests and Hector not letting on which woman he prefers. Staying at Daisy’s is a novel that will take you into the country and show you its lighter side amidst the fashionable and elite. Readers, however, may find that certain events or moments come to pass that seem a little “too convenient” and yet random. Overall, Mansell creates fun characters that will keep you guessing and laughing.



Reading this book is a great way to spend an afternoon. It keeps you completely enthralled for hours and you never want to leave this small village. I love how everyone in this book is somehow connected with each other. Call me a bit slow but I didn’t realize some of the obvious connections and was delighted when I discovered them halfway through the book (even though I’m sure everyone else realized it right from the get go). I loved all the main characters in the book. Everyone has their own bit of charm and Mansell writes in such as way that even though there are several characters to keep track off, you never lose interest or get lost.

Daisy’s story is a whirlwind. Her former husband was a total prick and I felt so bad for her. The feelings that she had must have been so horrible. The ending is a bit obvious but it’s still fun getting there and seeing who she ends up with. Normally I would have been annoyed with Tara’s character but I could relate to her. The guy that keeps pulling you back even though you KNOW he’s bad for you and it’s not a good situation to be in. Her whole situation was sad and funny all at the same time. Sad because I’m sure many have found themselves in that same situation but funny at the end result. Barney’s story was my favorite. I was expecting something sinister when we first meet him but he’s just a really sweet guy. The only story I didn’t really connect with involved Tara’s aunt. It was just a weird situation all around but the story of the washing machine was absolutely hilarious.

I absolutely adore Jill Mansell’s books and this one is no exception. It’s a light fun read that will keep you hooked for hours. This book is over 500 pages but I swear it reads so fast that you will wish it was longer. If you know me then you know how much I enjoy chick lit and her books are a perfect example at what a chick lit book should be like. Likable characters make this is huge plus in my book and the fun storyline adds to the appeal. Plus it’s British! A great read and I cannot wait until her next book releases!



Daisy MacLean has had her fill of good-looking, dishonest men. Even when tragedy brings her together with her no-good, soon-to-be-ex husband’s mistress, it’s no great surprise. She’s better off without him. Daisy’s got a great job working at her father’s hotel and she’s perfectly content.


But, when the handsome athlete Dev Tyzack becomes a guest at the hotel, it’s clear he’s interested. Daisy tries to stay away from him, but it’s nearly impossible to avoid such a magnetic attraction. Then, a former boyfriend shows up in need of a place to sleep. Josh may not be the handsomest man she’s dated, but he’s trustworthy and kind. Will Daisy settle for a relationship lacking zing or take a chance, again?


Maggie is in love but she’s middle-aged and the man she’s seeing is not interested in commitment. She’s got to be realistic. Their arrangement is for only one purpose and, like it or not, she knows she will continue seeing him, even if it breaks her heart and she finds their clandestine affair humiliating. Will Maggie be able to give up the man she loves when he starts seeing someone else? Or is she hopelessly hooked on him?


Tara’s dating life has been nothing but a string of disasters. One man after another has used her and walked out. Now, a former love has shown up in her life and he makes her feel loved and appreciated. There’s only one catch: He’s a newlywed. Is Tara being used or does he really love her? And, what if Daisy finds out? If there’s one thing that will upset Daisy, it’s finding out Tara is involved with a married man.


The cover of Staying at Daisy’s says, "You never know what to expect when you’re . . . Staying at Daisy’s." Boy, that’s the truth. In fact, I never know quite where Jill Mansell is taking me, when I open one of her books. She is a master at creating characters who are entangled with more than one person and confusing the issue of who everyone will end up with. She’s a carrot dangler, really. It took me a long, long time to figure out who Daisy and Tara were going to end up with and what would happen to Maggie. I love not knowing. It’s always so much more satisfying to read a romantically-themed book that isn’t transparent and predictable.



Daisy is a slightly more subdued character than Mansell’s usual heroine, but she’s really no less spunky and admirable; and, there are lots of characters to love. The only real problem I had with Staying at Daisy’s was that it seemed like the theme leaned toward, "Men are tremendously unreliable bastards, in general, but now and then you get lucky and find a decent chap." I think that was because Daisy, Tara and Maggie were all hurting or frustrated in some way. But, as usual, there was a lovable cast with a few people you wanted to swat for either arrogance, stupidity or for being just plain rotten. They’re a realistic hodge-podge, really.


The Bottom Line: While I wouldn’t say Staying at Daisy’s is my favorite by Jill Mansell, I became every bit as immersed in the storyline and invested in the characters as I have with the rest of her books and I still highly recommend it. Believable, likable characters with plenty of spunk and wit, a nicely twisty storyline that keeps you guessing and delightful writing make Staying at Daisy’s a winner. Infidelity, tons of innuendo and falling into bed with the opposite sex too easily tend to be a little annoying. But, the writing is done with such flair — zippy dialogue and loads of surprises — that I’m convinced there’s no such thing as a bad book by Jill Mansell. Definitely recommended.

Cover thoughts: I love the cheery covers of Jill Mansell’s books, although I don’t think the content is clear from the covers and recent releases — while colorful and lively — also are hard to distinguish from one another. So, I like the cover but I don’t think it says much about the content and I’m hoping there will be some changes to covers of future Mansell titles.


Staying at Daisy’s is a very enjoyable British “Chick Lit” novel. Jill Mansell has a unique style of writing that I really enjoy. Her novels bring to life small English villages complete with an entire cast of characters that I grow to love through the course of the novel.

Daisy MacLean manages a manor hotel that her eccentric author father bought in a small English village. Daisy has had a tough time since the death of her husband and is trying to learn to love again. When rugby sports hero Dev Tyzack stays at her hotel for a wedding, sparks fly, but is the lady’s magnet a man that Daisy wants to end up with or is her dependable, cuddly, ex-boyfriend Josh the man for her?

Daisy’s friend Tara is a chambermaid at the hotel and is unlucky in love. When she meets up with her ex-boyfriend, he is hours away from being married, but admits he is still attracted to her. Tara’s Aunt Maggie is sleeping with Daisy’s father Hector, and is getting paid to do so! Maggie doesn’t want to be a one-man prostitute and would love to have a real relationship with Hector, but when a famous movie-star stays at the hotel, Maggie has some stiff competition.

These are just some of the loveable and interconnected characters in Staying at Daisy’s. Once I got into the novel, I couldn’t put it down. I really liked each of the story lines, and liked how they were all nicely resolved by the conclusion of the book. I wouldn’t mind reading more about these characters! I also really liked the novels setting in a small English village. It seems that most chick lit novels have a mandatory setting in London or New York City. It’s nice to see that there is life beyond those areas!

Overall, if you are looking for a fun, funny, and romantic novel, I high recommend Staying at Daisy’s.



Why I Read this Book: Once in a blue moon, I like to read a good chick-lit novel. Way back when (after I had read the Harry Potter series and I was trying to find my reading groove), I dabbled in a bit of click-lit. I’m not a huge fan of the genre so a book really has to grab my attention in order for me to read it. In fact, I have about 10 chick-lit books on my shelf, that have been on my shelf for over 3 years, that are waiting for me to read. When I get in the mood.

What I Liked: The book’s length seems daunting – it’s 500 pages long!! But don’t let that get to you. I felt a bit overwhelmed by the size of the book but once I started reading it, I hardly noticed how long the novel was because I got sucked into the story.

I was also overwhelmed by the blurb. There seemed to be a lot going on (there is) and I was worried that I would get lost in the multiple story arcs. But that wasn’t the case. Staying at Daisy’s is a soap opera; there are many characters to keep track of and a lot of different storylines going on. The different story lines interconnect in ways you wouldn’t have guessed. But the author does a great job at mastering this soap opera. It’s not confusing or overwhelming. It is funny and at times, crazy.

What I Didn’t Like: When I had this book in my hands, the pages just whizzed by. But when I put the book down, I wasn’t so anxious to pick it back up. It wasn’t a gripping novel; it’s a great night time read to keep on your night stand.

Overall Impression: Staying at Daisy’s interesting characters with drama-filled lives and intertwining story lines will be a perfect read for soap opera fans and chick-lit fans. This is the first book by Jill Mansell that I’ve read so far and I’m looking forward to more from this author. And I’m not even a huge fan of chick-lit! This book is funny, it’s touching and it’s a novel you won’t want to miss.





This is one of those books that from the moment I read the blurb about it I had to read it. It sounded like a fun light read, it didn’t disappoint. It was one of the most enjoyable books that I have read.

The entire cast of characters was a perfect blend of quirky. From Daisy and her swearing of all men forever (like that was really going to happen), Dev (the former rugby player) who wants more from Daisy, Josh (the guy that Daisy thinks she wants), Tara her best friend, Hector her dad, Tara’s aunt Maggie.

At the end of the book I was ready to book a flight to England to find this hotel and move right in. This is one of those books that you don’t want to say to much about because you want people to discover the uniqueness and greatness of this book. There were parts where I laughed out loud and others that I felt the distress of the characters (no I am not going to tell you who and why).

If you are looking for an escape for a couple of hours then pick up this book and sit back and enjoy.

I do have to say that anyone that has a rugby pitch in their backyard and can admire ruggers at will is one lucky person, wonder if Jill has room in her house for one more.

Grade B+



Each time I pick up a book by Jill Mansell I get lost in this crazy world that only her characters can create and I find that I never want these books to end. I started reading this book and before I knew it I had half the book read, it is a defiant page-turner, and once you get to the end you will want to start again. The dialogue between the characters flows from the page in the witty way that only Jill Mansell can compose. While the main characters are lovable and strong, the secondary are just as strong and enjoyable. I cannot speak highly enough of this book.

Staying at Daisy’s is a brilliant witty read both funny and serious, that you will breeze through and beg for more. C.S. Lewis once stated, “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me”, and for me Staying at Daisy could have continued forever.

So, fix you a nice cuppa tea, curl up in your favorite book nook, and checking into the Colworth Manor!



Jill Mansell is new to me, but, from evidence in her writing skills, is definitely NOT new to the world of writing. Her quirky characters, her witty plot line, and her all around fantastic skills, kept me hooked and smiling until the very end.

This chick-lit novel takes us to England, among the fabulous accents and friendly natives. I felt right at home from the start at Daisy’s hotel. I laughed out loud through this fast but fun read. Daisy is a widow, but her marriage seemed to have been over long before the death. Yep. Dear hubby was a two timer! He apparently wanted his cake and to eat it, too. Daisy vowed then to stay away from any players. That is until she meets Dev. Man, was she in for a surprise with him! The two made for great laughs!

Out of all the characters, Hector, Daisy’s dad was my favorite. From page one, his words, antics and obvious love for life just hooked me. He’s a character that should be in ALL books everywhere!

I am forever a Jill Mansell fan. She combines hysterical fun, British charm and entertaining characters, tosses them up and throws her fans an unforgettably hilarious, 4 star chick lit novel. I am highly recommending this to everyone who loves a good laugh now and again. You’ll instantly be hooked and if you’re new to Jill Mansell’s work, like me, you’ll be hunting for more!


A well written tale that has a lot going on between the covers :)

With emotion that just rolls off the pages and a few stories going at once, I really felt like I was part of a bigger picture :) While maybe not quite what I expected, the story was able to catch me and pull me in. I had a very hard time putting it down for anything short of a house fire :) Yeah, dinner was a little late. Oh well. It was totally worth it :)

When I want something light, easy and fun to read, Jill Mansell is always a sure bet. Staying at Daisy’s was a winner.

Daisy MacLean manages a small hotel owned by her father Hector is a village in England. The hotel is the setting for a wedding that seems to touch off events for the friends, family and employees of Daisy’s hotel.

Daisy has been burned before in love and has no interest in best man Dev - mind you he is awfully handsome... And Daisy’s best friend and chambermaid Tara just happens to have dated the groom before....and Hector - well, he’s never met a guest he couldn’t charm ...but he’s got a secret...and so does Tara’s Aunt Maggie...and the new porter at the hotel....and who is his mystery girlfriend...and...

Well, you get the idea. Lots of madcap situations, miscommunications and missed signals make for a amusing, light hearted read. Staying at Daisy’s is populated with the kind of characters Mansell is known for - warm, funny and unique personas. They’re all a little bit quirky and you can’t help but be charmed. Daisy is the kind of person you’d love to know and have as a friend. The supporting characters are all clearly drawn roles, filling out the roster. Hector is the one individual who struck a sour note with me - I didn’t think he deserved his happy ending. And of course, there are happy endings for all involved. And that’s the fun of Mansell’s books - the journey there is delightfully entertaining. Staying at Daisy’s is a bit longer than previous books. About 50 pages too much in my opinion - one too many missed opportunities with Daisy and Dev stretched out the ending.

A lovely diversionary read, perfect for fans of the chick lit genre.


Staying at Daisy’s by Jill Mansell was such a fun romp with a pile of funny and eccentric characters! Jill Mansell is fast becoming a favorite author of mine and reading her books is always a delight! This is one romantic comedy that will have you flipping those pages to see what comes next - it’s funny and yet has that little bit of a serious tinge to it as well!

Daisy is the manager of a beautiful country hotel called Colworth Manor which is owned by her father Hector. Since losing her husband Steven in a car accident with non other than his mistress Daisy has sworn off men, especially the good looking ones who can charm your pants off. They are never anything but trouble.

So, when at a wedding being hosted at her hotel, she happens to meet the more than obnoxious Dev while defending her best friend Tara, she is more than determined to steer clear of him - he is much too handsome and sexy for his own good and hers. Even worse he is sticking up for his lousy mate Dominic who is getting married there and who just happened to make a play for chambermaid Tara. Now Tara does know him though, he used to be an ex-boyfriend of hers. Still when she’s caught with Dominic by the bride’s sister, she’s deeply offended that she’s being blamed for the whole sodden mess!

Dev doesn’t give up so easily though and keeps showing up and getting on Daisy’s nerves. Yet when he takes her to help him buy a dog, she can’t help but see another side to him. She picks out Clarissa for him even though he specifically said he wanted a big and burly dog much like himself. Yet, he does end up going home with Clarissa and of course falls in love with her. Later he shows up again at Daisy’s hotel booking in for a few weeks while his place is being renovated because of a water leak. While Daisy is currently seeing her ex-boyfriend Josh, she still can’t help but feel butterflies whenever Dev is around. Well, she’ll just have to make more of an effort to avoid him, won’t she? It’s just that maybe that isn’t really what she wants or is it?

Staying at Daisy’s is full of quirky characters. I’ve barely skimmed the surface. While Daisy and the dog Clarissa were my favorite characters, Tara was hilarious. She’s so unlucky in love and every step she takes in any direction just seems to end in more laughs. Daisy’s father Hector is someone who is larger than life and thrives on it - he’s also having an affair with a village local while pretending to himself that it means nothing. There is also Tara’s aunt Maggie who was fantastic - when she has problems with her washing machine, she takes her anger to a whole new level. Then there’s Barney who has to be the world’s last sweetest guy - you just want to give him a big ole hug!

Nothing really earth shattering happens in this novel yet you will never find a boring moment. It’s all about people finding love and living their lives and you will find yourself completely captivated by the cast of characters and the beautiful country manor and area. I felt like I knew all of these people and cared about them before I was even a quarter of a way into the novel and I’ve found that with all of Jill Mansell’s books that I’ve read. She has a knack for making you feel a part of her character’s lives as well as letting you sit back and imagine that you’re enjoying yourself in the English countryside. As the story evolves Daisy is faced with the biggest surprise of all and yet it is this that gives her the push to finally take the biggest risk of all and open herself up to love again.

If you’re in the mood for a fun and fabulous read, then I’d say Staying at Daisy’s would be a great pick as would most of Jill Mansell’s books. If you enjoy British authors as I do and all their funny and quirky sayings, then you’ll love this reading this story. You can pick up your very own copy of Staying at Daisy’s by Jill Mansell here in the US and here in Canada. Be sure to pop into Jill Mansell’s website and check out all of her books!



Daisy MacLean has just learned that her husband has been in a car accident...and his girlfriend was in the car with him. She also learns that he doesn’t have cancer like he told her he did, and agrees to donate his organs for transplant.

A year later, Daisy’s still managing her father’s hotel, working a wedding. A guest catches the groom in a compromising position with Daisy’s friend and employee, Tara. Tara says she didn’t do anything, the groom came on to her. The best main blames Tara, but Daisy defends her.

Now Daisy’s gotten a letter from the recipient of her ex husband’s kidney, a young man named Barney, and he’s come for a visit. While he’s at the hotel, he sees an ad for a porter position and applies for the job.

Daisy keeps running into the best man, who also happens to be a famous former football star. Tara gets a call from the groom, miserable in his marriage and wanting to see her. Barney gets settled in, meets a nice girl, and they start dating. Tara’s sister, Maggie, is secretly seeing someone in the village, and he’s paying her for sex!

My thoughts: This book was fantastic. Staying at Daisy’s is the second book I’ve read by Ms. Mansell, and I plan to glom her backlist soon, I really enjoy her writing. From my brief summary, it sounds like there’s a lot going on - there is - but Ms. Mansell is a master at working the storylines until she neatly ties them together in a nice big bow. I really liked Daisy, she was a sympathetic character who’d had her heart trampled by her ex-husband and was reluctant to open herself to love again. Her father was a great character, absolutely adorable. Her friend Tara was a bit abrasive and I didn’t like her very much; I had a hard time believing that after what she’d seen Daisy go through with a cheating husband that she would head down that path herself. Tara’s sister Maggie turned out to be quite a surprising character :)

Dev is the hero of the story, and I didn’t feel like we saw very much of him, but I liked him nevertheless. He was a bit of a playboy, which is why Daisy couldn’t or wouldn’t allow herself to fall for him. Lucky for her, Dev is persistent and patient.

I enjoyed the entire book, but here’s what really struck me about this story - the organ donation storyline. Full disclosure: I worked for about 12 years as a secretary in a pediatric kidney transplant department, so I have some intense feelings on the subject of organ donation. I loved, loved, loved that Staying at Daisy’s does a marvelous job of highlighting it in a positive way. I am a firm believer in organ donation, and Ms. Mansell wove the subject into a wonderful storyline. I’m not going to give out any spoilers, so to see why it was especially significant you’ll have to read the book, lol.


Daisy MacLean runs the country house hotel owned by her flamboyant father, Hector. When she hears who’s about to get married there, she isn’t worried at all - her friend Tara absolutely promises there won’t be any trouble between her and ex-boyfriend Dominic, whom she hasn’t seen for years. But Dominic has other ideas... Meanwhile, Hector’s getting up to all sorts with...well, that’s the village’s best kept secret. And then Barney turns up, with a little something belonging to the husband Daisy’s been doing her best to forget. That’s the thing about hotels, you never know who you’re going to meet. Or whether they’re going to stay...

My thoughts: What can I say that I haven’t already? Love Mansell, love her characters, love her plots, love her books. This story brought back the cheeky humor of Millie’s Fling, with the dynamic characters whose quirks bring them to life and make you wish you were inside the book. If I could stay at Daisy’s, I’d be loathe to leave.



Daisy MacLean and her father, Hector manage a hotel. Tara Donovan works as a chambermaid at the hotel and is Daisy’s friend. The hotel will be busy. The rich and famous, Dominic Cross-Calvert is getting married at the hotel. When Tara learns who the marriage party is, she about loses it. Dominic and Tara used to be an item. Things will be just fine as long as Tara and Dominic aren’t alone together…too late. What else can go wrong?

Dev Tyzack is a celebrity. He is a sports hero. He is also the best man. Daisy and Dev hit things off. They are having a great time together. There is just one small problem…Daisy does not take the guests. I guess someone should not tell Daisy than that Dev is a hotel guest.

I have become a fan of author, Jill Mansell. I have read many of her books. I must admit that while I do enjoy them for the light-heartedness, the last couple of books were just ok. Staying with Daisy’s renewed my faith in Ms. Mansell. There were so many hilarious moments that I can not pick just one. I thought that Daisy and Dev were fun together. Dev helped Daisy to open up and let loose. Daisy needed a guy like Dev after her last relationship. What I loved the most about this book was all the kooky, hilarious characters. Each one just added to the story. You better book your reservation now with Staying with Daisy’s. You won’t regret it!

You know what I hate about Jill Mansell? She has this knack of writing such great books that ‘I have half an hour to read before I MUST do housework’ turns into ‘MOM! Why is the house such a mess??’ Omg, is it that time already!?

What an amazing cast this book has. Daisy, who runs her father Hector’s hotel. Tara, Daisy’s best friend who works as a chambermaid and can’t seem to find herself a good man. Sexy and arrogant Dev who could probably have any girl he wants. Sweet Barney who just wants a quiet, family life. Mel – she has a secret that could ruin her new happiness. Josh, the funny ex-boyfriend and Maggie who is so in love, but no one knows it.

Staying at Daisy’s is another book full of charm and wit starring a plethora of interesting characters. I am always reminded of Maeve Binchy when I read Mansell – the way the people in the story come to know each other through exciting twists and turns, most of which you could never guess in advance. I love ‘full circle’ stories and Jill Mansell’s are always that. I want to read every single one. Seriously, give yourself a nice treat – put your feet up and enjoy. You’ll be sooo glad you did.



I really love reading Jill Mansell’s books. They are British Chick-lit as it’s very best!

Daisy realized her husband was two-timing her when he was in a serious car accident with the floozy. Unfortunately for him, it took his life. But she decided then and now, she wouldn’t settle for a player again. So, she manages her father’s hotel and spends some time with her friends and is getting by.

On one of her busier nights at the hotel, a reception and a wedding, she meets Dev Tycazk, a former rugby player who just rubs her the wrong way. He may be part of the wedding party and he may be attractive, but she’s been happy playing the singles scene.

But Dev comes back a few days later requesting a favor of Daisy. Before you know it, the attraction is too powerful to deny. But not only is love in the air for Daisy and Dev, but there’s also Daisy’s friend Tara, the maid. Daisy’s father Hector, Tara’s aunt Maggie and the lovable porter Barney. All of their stories are secondary to Daisy and Dev’s but play out beautifully until you come to a very satisfactory ending.

Great dialogue, extremely likeable characters all mesh together into a romantic romp that will keep you entertained from cover to cover. There are a few surprises but I won’t tell you about them so you’ll be surprised too! Especially who Barney has been seeing!!! Another winner for Ms. Mansell — I can’t wait to see what she writes next!!



Staying at Daisy’s is the sixth republished book from Jill Mansell that Sourcebooks has published. I have been fortunate enough to have read them all and I have to say I loved each and every one. Just when I think I have loved a book another one comes out that I love just as much.

This one was no exception. It was a great way to escape a rainy day.

Staying at Daisy opens up with Daisy MacLean (who is the hotel manager at her father, Hector’s hotel) getting some bad news about her husband, Steven. He was in a serious accident and it doesn’t look very good. She quickly realizes that he isn’t the man she thought he was. He was leading a double life with lying and cheating. Daisy had no idea this was happening.

Fast forward one year later and Daisy is busy making sure the wedding reception her hotel has booked runs smoothly and without a hitch. Of course we all know that won’t happen because the groom just happens to be Tara’s (who happens to be a chambermaid and Daisy’s best friend) ex-boyfriend, Dominic. Things quickly heat up and before you know it Tara and Dominic are caught in the act. Will the wedding continue?

Before long Daisy is confronted by the best man, Dev. Daisy sees through is act and swears she wants nothing to do with him because he reminds her of her dead husband. So she seeks comfort in her ex boyfriend, Josh who just happens to show up at the right time. While the timing is right for Daisy you can see that she is actually falling for Dev. How will this relationship play out? Can she truly trust Dev or will he turn out like Steven?

There were a few other characters that I loved such as Maggie and Hector. I wondered if there would ever be more to their relationship then what they had. I loved Maggie’s character and couldn’t help but laugh with her. She managed to some how always land in an embarrassing moment when it was the wrong time.

I loved how each of the characters were all looking for love and they didn’t see that the love for them was right under their noses so to speak.

Thanks again to Danielle at Sourcebooks for sending me this to review. I love reading Jill Mansell’s books. They are light and fun reads.

Staying at Daisy’s, by Jill Mansell, is an enjoyable and fun piece of fiction. Like many of Mansell’s other books, it pulls the readers right into an idyllic piece of English country life.

Daisy may have the same problems of the heart as most other heroines in this type of book, but she likes her job, running a hotel, and is very good at it. Even if there is an impossibly handsome and wealthy man—former rugby player Dev—as the object of Daisy’s affection, the rest of the book manages to avoid clichés by including many refreshing nods to reality—like how frustrating it is when repairmen don’t repair things.

One thing I especially liked about Staying at Daisy’s was the way it alternated between so many characters’ points of view. The book has subplots galore, so in some ways reading it is like watching a (good) soap opera: there’s a lot going on and it’s never boring.

While Daisy gets the slight majority of the narrative, it’s fun to get in the heads of other characters like Tara, the best friend, and Maggie, Tara’s aunt. Tara is a bit of a mess, but that may make readers sympathize with her romantic problems all the more. Maggie is somewhat older than the typical romantic heroine, but that doesn’t mean that she shouldn’t have a happy ending as well. Her escapades, which involve a broken washing machine, are highlights of the book.

In addition, it’s nice to read about characters who can be friends with benefits and don’t suffer any ill consequences. While nearly every character wants to find love, the book makes it plain that doing so is far from the easiest thing to do. Unless, that is, love has been right under their noses all along. Staying at Daisy’s doesn’t place any judgment on characters who settle for sex when they can’t find love; instead, most of the characters have a moment of self-realization where they discover they have fallen in love, in spite of themselves.

Rating: 4/5



The first novel in the Underbelly Chronicles series, Taste Me by Tamara Hogan is a unique blend of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Readers who are looking a different twist on paranormal genre will love this one. The main characters are not the typical werewolf, vampire combination. With a siren, a succubi, and an alien crash landing, this book takes sex, drugs, and rock-n-rock to a new level. Readers won’t be able to get enough!

Scarlett Fontaine is a rock singer and a siren. Her voice literally draws men like a moth to a flame. But she’s just finished up a long and drawn out tour and she needs to time to rest and recuperate. Being the daughter of one of the Underworld’s most influential families, Scarlett has the added pressure of the councils decision to announce their presence to the human population. When a Were council members daughter is murdered and attacks on the council begin in earnest, Scarlett is thrust into harms way. And old friend and former lover, Lukas Sebastiani is given the task of protecting Scarlett, but can he protect himself from her? Their relationship is passionate and real and Lukas is forced to face the fact that he may not be able to save her from a psychopath bent on murder.

There is so much to say about this book. Being the first book in the series, this is where the reader is really introduced to the characters and begins to see how their world works and what obstacles they are facing. Hogan does such an excellent job with her world building in this one, that fantasy fans will fall in love with it. From the alien crash landing and the beginnings of the council to the supernatural club scenes, Hogan crafts a novel about characters and a new culture readers will want to know more about, setting up for a great series.

This book definitely leans more to the urban fantasy side of things, though the characters are paranormal. This is one a lot edgier and tougher than a normal paranormal romance. I think it is a great blend of the two. I loved the fact that the author gave us new and exciting paranormal characters. There is such a glut in the paranormal genre of were’s and vampires, that it’s really refreshing when an author goes in a different direction. I had not previously read much about sirens or succubi and I was very interested to see how this would go. I think Hogan really pulled it off well, with characters were three dimensional and easy to relate to. Even the cat had personality!

One of the most interesting things about this novel for me, was the villain. This character will really get under the skin of the reader. It’s the villain, it’s the person you are suppose to dislike or even hate in the story. But, that definitely isn’t the case with one. The villain is so well developed and so realistic that readers will find themselves caring for this person despite how they know they should feel. I think that is a huge accomplishment for a writer, to be able to make even the most vile of characters seem human.

The book started out just a little slow for me, but by the time it got going I was engaged and very interested in how this would play out. I liked the whole rock-n-roll theme and felt it would really find a good audience. Scarlett’s running playlist was an excellent idea and readers will be able to hear that music in their heads as they read. This book isn’t for the faint of heart, as it contains some very descriptive scenes as well as some colorful language. This one is suited for mature adults. It’s very steamy and fiery and filled with passion and I really enjoyed that aspect of the book, but I do think caution is in order where young readers are concerned.

I highly recommend this one to the urban fantasy and paranormal romance reader. It’s a great beginning to a new series, with very well developed characters and the plot is amazing!

Taste Me is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I’m giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Format: Paperback

Dimensions
Length: 8 in
Width: 5.25 in
Weight: 18.16 oz
Page Count: 512 pages