Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues

By: Trisha Ashley

Narrated by: Julia Rounthwaite

Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

When Tansy Poole inherits a run-down shoe shop tucked away in the village of Sticklepond, ‘Cinderella’s Slippers’ is born - providing the footwear to make any fairy-tale wedding come true…Carrying everything a bride would want to walk down the aisle in, Tansy’s shop soon expands to carry shoe-themed wedding favours, bridesmaid gifts and even delicious chocolate shoes. It’s the dream destination for any shoe-lover! If only everything in her personal life could be as heavenly – but with a fiancé trying to make her fit into a size 8 wedding dress, not to mention the recent discovery of disturbing family revelations, Tansy takes refuge in the shop’s success.

But one man isn’t thrilled by the stream of customer’s hot-footing it to Cinderella’s Slippers… Actor Ivo Hawksley, resident of the cottage next to the shop, is troubled by a dark secret in his past and has come to Sticklepond to nurse his own broken heart. However, Ivo realises that he and Tansy have a link in their past and soon, they both find out how secrets shared can make a very strong bond indeed…

Forget the Jimmy Choos, Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues is the only accessory you need for spring 2012…

©2012 Trisha Ashley (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic Reviews

Praise for Trisha Ashley:‘Trisha Ashley writes with remarkable wit and originality – one of the best writers around!’ Katie Fforde‘A lovely warm book, full of down-to-earth humour – and top tips on restoring a stately home!’ Sophie Kinsella‘Fresh and funny.’ Woman’s Own‘Packed with romance, chocolate and fun, this indulgent read is simply too delicious to put down.’ Closer

Don't waste your credit

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

It was boring cannot imagine who would enjoy it

What could Trisha Ashley have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Improve the story it is basically about a 92 year old who gives a running commentary to her grand niece about her life. The grand neice goes on and on about opening a bridal shoe shop in the old ladies shop.
The story just waffles going nowhere. I tried for three hours but just cannot listen to it.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Julia Rounthwaite?

Maybe Jane Collingwood this narrator reads the story in a way that you cannot distinguish between the characters apart from the old lady that character is portrayed slightly differently.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment I only purchased it two days ago and was really looking forward to starting a new book but instead it is just boring.

Sticklepond and its inhabitants.

Quite by chance I happened to read the 3 installments of STICKLEPOND, which is a small old town in a country setting north of London.
This one -Chocolate Shoes...- was the third book and as in the previous two books is a romantic story. It is a separate story only that takes place in Sticklepond and a few years after the first one (WINTERS TALE) and the characters of the other books are mentioned in passing. I thought it was endearing like the mention of old friends and how they were doing,

The actual story is the usual girl in her 30s with a struggling love life who goes back to her hometown to start over and be with her beloved old grandaunt....(can't say anything more) the plot and dialogs are simple but nice, funny at times, mostly pretty real, except the ending but as i always say if you read these books you are looking for nice happy endings .So all in all i would say ENJOYABLE! the three books are warm, romantic and the performance in all of them is very. very good !

Sweet Story

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Sweet but a little dragged out

Would you be willing to try another book from Trisha Ashley? Why or why not?

Probably

Did Julia Rounthwaite do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

So-so, most characters had subtle differences but not distinct tonal differences

Could you see Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Not really

Live my British chick lit

Great narrator and story. Love this little town and the towns people. Highly recommend if you like Sophie Kinsella or Jill Mansell.

Good characters

Good characters & story/plot but the author kept repeating the facts & the characters thoughts on a topic which got very tedious. I was thinking- yes I know, get in with the story!!

overall, a pleasant enough listen

trisha ashley's books generally have pleasant plot, with endearing characters, in a classically english setting. unfortunately, she does tend to rush the ending, which compromises the reading experience. i would recommend her books for readers who like a light read while doing housework, driving or other light activity.

A real fairy tale

What made the experience of listening to Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues the most enjoyable?

I loved it. Yes its "chick lit" But there is more to the story than that would imply. When it finished I wanted more. I believed in the characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues?

The End

Which scene did you most enjoy?

So many, the one with the dog, the decorating, and so on I don't want to give anything away.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It make me laugh. I did not cry, I got very frustrated at times

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book and I am likely to listen again in a few months. Tricha Ashley is a good if querky story teller. Her tails are not predictable. they all have twists.

good book not so good narriting

i liked this book and the story is a warm and fluffy as with other titles from the same author but the voice reading it became quite annoying for me,it was ok untill the fake and quite bad accents started and continued on throughout the book,

lovely x

kind and lovely characters who we got to know really well, nicely written and narrated.

Gentle, meandering tale

Absolutely loved this meandering story. A bit predictable at times but didn't matter one bit. Nice to have cameo appearances of previous sticklepond characters.

Katie Fforde readers will love it

Enjoyable

Trisha Ashley writes well. Her stories are always interesting, which make for a good and enjoyable read.

It's ok but way too predictable

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not really. I loved the storyline re the shoe shop but not the romance and predictability.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

So obvious that it was just a total disappointment.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

It was ok.

Could you see Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

Yes I can. Some useless TV nobody probably. That's all we ever get to seem cast these days.

Any additional comments?

The phrases that were repeated word for word in later chapters were annoying. And constantly reading out the same newspaper sign off. Waste of time.

Really enjoyable to listen to

If you could sum up Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues in three words, what would they be?

Enjoyable, relaxing, fun

What did you like best about this story?

The interactions between the characters were good, and a few twists kept it from being too predictable (although it's still easy to guess who will end up with who!). I enjoyed the characters from her other books popping up here & there.

Have you listened to any of Julia Rounthwaite’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I also listened to Chocolate Wishes, they are equally well read.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh and smile as I was listening. Trisha's books are fun to listen to.

Any additional comments?

The error in the relationship between Chloe & her grandfather annoyed me - they kept saying she was his daughter but in Chocolate Wishes she is his granddaughter.

Colourful characters & intricate details

Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues is essentially Tansy's story as well as her grandmother's. However Tricia Ashley's characters are all well rounded including the ones who take the smallest part in the action, they all come to life as you listen. With Tansy's character being as colourful and adventurous as her dress sense!

The narrator creates a mystical atmosphere that in some parts the story requires, she's very good at all the voices and gives you the sense of the characters being real people.

The attention to detail here makes the writing something above the ordinary, small intricacies are woven into the story and bring in another dimension, I like that. It may even make you want to open a vintage shoe shop of your own, even though you don't have that desire usually! That's how caught up in the story I became.

If you're someone who likes to read books in order, then this book, in some ways, follows on from Chocolate Wishes, as the continuation of the 'adventures of Sticklepond', but is before Wish Upon a Star.

Beautiful story!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book as the characters were so alive and the story held you throughout with a secret past and well written with great narration

What did you like best about this story?

I loved how the characters were so alive and kept you guessing plus a perfect ending

Which character – as performed by Julia Rounthwaite – was your favourite?

Aunt Nan of course as she brought her to life

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes when Aunt Nan's secret came out it was very touching

Any additional comments?

This is a good read if you like a story that you never want to end because you will miss the characters

Classic Trisha Ashley

Loved it. Brilliant story line and an excellent performance again by Julia Rounthwaite. I am beginning to love Sticklepond and wished I lived there!! :)