Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop

By: Abby Clements

Narrated by: Jane Collingwood

Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

When Imogen and Anna unexpectedly inherit their grandmother Vivien's ice cream parlour, it turns both their lives upside-down. The Brighton shop is a seafront institution, but while it's big on charm it's critically low on customers. If the sisters don't turn things around quickly, their grandmother's legacy will disappear forever.

With summer looming, Imogen and Anna devise a plan to return Vivien's to its former glory. Rather than sell up, they will train up, and make the parlour the newest destination on the South Coast foodie map. While Imogen watches the shop, her sister flies to Italy to attend a gourmet ice-cream-making course. But as she works shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the best chefs in the industry, Anna finds that romance can bloom in the most unexpected of places....

©2013 Vanessa Neuling (P)2014 WF Howes Ltd

Critic Reviews

"Deliciously romantic - a perfect summer read!" (Miranda Dickinson.)

"A sweet and scrumptious summer indulgence, this sunshine tale of friendship, family, and 99 Flakes was a pure delight from start to finish.... Loved it" (Victoria Fox, author of Temptation Island)

Half hearted

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

I'm a sucker for romance even the predictable stuff but perhaps this would better suit someone who doesn't care at all for realism. Use your last £500 to buy a van without a thought for insurance? Which experienced cook would put vanilla seeds in the bin?

Would you ever listen to anything by Abby Clements again?

Probably not.

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

This is up to the narrator's usual high standard, lots of variation in voice and characters.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Not really

A sweet story that pootled along nicely!

Predictable but enjoyable. Nice characters and nice settings to enjoy, if you love food you'll enjoy this read.

Lovely story, easy listening, will listen again

What made the experience of listening to Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop the most enjoyable?

I have read this book on the kindle, am was excited to see it in audible form. I love the story, giving inspiration, and leaving me with a warm heart.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Anna is my favourite character. I can relate to her in many ways.

What about Jane Collingwood’s performance did you like?

A pleasant clear voice, narrating the story great.

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

I love the end of this book, as soon as I have finished I want to start all over again.

Any additional comments?

I will listen to this audiobook time and time again. A favourite!!

He said, She said

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

I listern to books whilst working on my art so to me its a back ground noise .. but it got anoying .. this book had a really good story line .. but way to much she said, blah blah .. he said.. it was more of a script to me

Has Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop put you off other books in this genre?

to be honest i am a bit worried about reading anouther one of the authers books cause this did annoy me ? was it her first one?

What about Jane Collingwood’s performance did you like?

her voices for different people was good x

Heavenly

I read this last year in paperback as it wasn’t on available via audio at that time, however when I saw that it was recently listed on Audible I just had to download it as I enjoyed the characters & story settings so much I wanted to se if the story translates well via audio recording.

I was happy find to discover it did!

The only issue I had is that it does seem go have been edited down although it states it is ‘unabridged’.

However this book is well worth a credit or cash purchase.

quaint and predictable,

with a happy ever after ending.

A light , warm hearted, easy listen.

Very enjoyable with good ideas for icecream recipes.

A delicious story!

Loved it! A story about love, family and ice cream. Perfect for a rainy walk!

a gentle tale

Would you consider the audio edition of Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version of this book, and it's not something I will probably do now.

Which character – as performed by Jane Collingwood – was your favourite?

Not sure I had a favourite character, but she is quite convincing as a three year old boy

Any additional comments?

this book is a tale of family bereavement, arguments, infidelity and depression all spun together with some love and lots of ice cream.