What a treat to be taking part in the blog tour for the wonderful Aphrodite’s Closet by Suzy Turner.
Synopsis
Agatha Trout didn’t even know she had a Great Aunt Petunia, so imagine her surprise when she finds Petunia left her a corner shop in her will. But it’s not just any old corner shop—it’s a corner shop that needs something unique, something the town of Frambleberry has never seen before.
Influenced by her confident best friend, Coco, Agatha is soon convinced that there’s only one way to go: an adults-only sex shop.
While some of the townspeople are clutching their pearls in horror, others are open to the new experiences this shop offers. But not everyone in Frambleberry is convinced. Will the women soldier on in the face of violent threats or will their fears get the best of them—and their new venture—before it even gets off the ground?
My review
This is a really enjoyable novel. We have fabulous lead characters in the strait-laced Aggie, a self-confessed prude if ever there was one, and her exuberant best friend Coco. They make for a solid partnership, balancing each other out. Coco can get a bit carried away without Aggie’s calming influence, and she in turn needs her friend to forcibly drag her out of the shadows she’s happy to lurk in. The setting of the story, Frambleberry, is Aggie’s equivalent so it’s not just our heroine who is getting shaken up by this sex shop venture!
The story is bubbly and original, although not without menace and violence, and there’s an intriguing touch of ghostliness too. We also see good and bad relationships, tolerance, hatred, hypocrisy, betrayal and courage so there’s a lot of substance to this book. It’s not just frill and frivolity, like some of the knickers Aggie sells!
There’s a strong thread of family love, support and loyalty throughout the book. Aggie’s parent, Trixie and Ted, play a crucial role in events. Dad offers unwavering support from the start whereas as the slightly dramatic Trixie has to come round to the idea in her own time. However, she’s they lynchpin to the story in many ways. Aggie’s sister Chrissie becomes involved in the adventure too, and Coco’s brother Kyle, who has a slightly chequered history, is always in the wings. And of course it’s Great Aunt Petunia who has provided the shop in the first place.
Aggie becomes stronger and more confident as the story progresses, overcoming many challenges on the way. She’s a fabulous heroine who deserves a happy ending, but will she still keep getting in her own way? Well, you’ll have to read this joyful novel to find out!
Purchase Link
Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071DZ7K24
Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071DZ7K24
Author Bio –
Born in England and raised in Portugal, Suzy lives with her childhood sweetheart Michael, their two crazy dogs and three cats.
Shortly after completing her studies, Suzy worked as a trainee journalist for a local newspaper. Her love of writing developed and a few years later she took the job of assistant editor for the region’s largest English language publisher before becoming editor of a monthly lifestyle magazine. Early in 2010 however, Suzy became a full time author. She has since written several books: Raven, December Moon, The Lost Soul (The Raven Saga), Daisy Madigan’s Paradise, The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw, The Temporal Stone, Looking for Lucy Jo, We Stand Against Evil (The Morgan Sisters), Forever Fredless, And Then There Was You, Stormy Summer and her latest, Aphrodite’s Closet.
In 2015 she launched her popular 40+ lifestyle blog which continues to go from strength to strength, while just over a year later, she trained to become a yoga instructor. Suzy continues to write, blog and teach yoga in one of Portugal’s loveliest settings – the Algarve.
Social Media Links –
Lifestyle Blog: www.suzyturner.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/suzyturner
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/suzyturner
Facebook: www.facebook.com/suzyturnerbooks
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/suzy_turner
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/suzyturnerbooks
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