The Teashop on the Corner

 The Teashop on the Corner

Reviewed By  Grasshopper2       December 12, 2014

 

Author  Milly Johnson

Distributor:     
ISBN:                 9781471114632
Publisher:         Simon & Schuster UK
Release Date:    

   Website:   http://www.simonandschuster.com.au

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This story is as comforting as the delicious cakes served in Leni’s teashop. The author has cleverly woven together stories of ordinary local people from all walks of life. Leni’s teashop, recently opened, and situated in Yorkshire, becomes a central meeting place. A group of people become friendly and gradually share their stories and the current issues in their lives.

Each person has a story to tell and many have hidden pain and secrets. We first meet Carla, a married woman whose husband dies suddenly. At the funeral service a woman rushes into the chapel and declares that she is pregnant with Martin’s child; that he was leaving Carla the following week.

We then meet Molly and Margaret, twins who live next door to each other. They were taken away from their parents. Molly had spared Margaret from the worst abuse from their father, now Margaret always keeps an eye out for Molly. Harvey was married to Molly a long time ago but left her.

We are then introduced to Will, a gentle man who has gone bankrupt, lost his business, his house and his wife who was only interested in his pay check.

Then there is Ryan, a local boy whose family are either in jail, or dealing drugs. He applies for a job and Leni’s soft heart is touched by how skinny and poorly dressed he is .She employs and feeds him against advice given by her friends. Along with a retired Indian surgeon, this is certainly an unusual gathering of people.

The tea, cakes and kindness that Leni dispenses get people to gradually share their concerns.

In her gentle, imaginative style, Milly Jonnson weaves these characters into an appealing tale of love, courage and friendship. Much in the style of Maeve Binchey, you can imagine the characters as they go about their daily lives. Their stories gradually unfold and, as it is with life, each day brings a new beginning.

 

 

Fiction