Eloise is still coming to terms with the death of her mother two years previously when she takes a job as a waitress in a tearoom while she is home from university to spend the summer in Guernsey. There she meets regular customer, Josephine, whose hobby is writing short stories.
English student, Eloise, offers to read some of the stories and is surprised by how good they are. She organises a special ninetieth birthday treat for Josephine but when the elderly lady doesn’t show up for her usual Wednesday morning elevenses, Eloise gets a feeling that something is terribly wrong.
Where is Josephine? And will she ever find out about Eloise’s extraordinary act of kindness?
My Dedication
Reviews
Perfect for a commute, lunch break or whilst waiting for an appointment.
Eloise is working her university summer holidays in June’s cafe where she encounters 89 year old writer Josephine.
Time For A Short Story might only take half an hour to read, but it certainly packs a punch. There is a great setting in the Primrose Pantry, the title of which put me in mind of the primrose path where things don’t always turn out quite as planned, and I could almost taste the cakes and scones on offer.
Characters are well developed and the reader gets a true understanding of who they really are, from Eloise’s dodgy dad to the talented and refined Josephine. I felt a real empathy towards them all, even sulky Claudette. It is Josephine, however, who steals the show and when I read the acknowledgements and discovered that the story is dedicated to Julia Roberts’ own mum, Josephine, who is the same age as the character I could understand why she seemed so real.
There’s a cracking plot that captivates the reader completely. Julia Roberts’ writing is highly skillful and I was very entertained by Time For A Short Story. It might only be a short story but there’s a lot going on!
But the element I really liked most was the theme of writing and seizing the day. Any aspiring writer could actually benefit from the self-publishing tips that underpin some of the action and I loved the message that it’s never too late to start writing but why not start now. I found it quite inspiring.
Time For A Short Story is a smashing read and just right for a commute or lunch break – or for those who would themselves like to be published writers.
What a treat this little story was! I was hooked from the start and was kept enthralled to the end. One of the best short stories I’ve read.
Eloise is back home on leave from uni and is so pleased to land herself a little part-time job in a local tearoom Primrose Pantry. Eloise befriends an elderly regular of the café and is surprised by how much they have in common. The friendship that develops between the young Eloise and Josephine is so heart warming and also quite inspiring. Both generations were learning from each other.
This was such a delightful story very well written that held my attention throughout. I warmed to all the characters and the setting was perfect … nothing like a good book and a cuppa, especially with a piece of cake made by June at Primrose Pantry. The author, Julia Roberts, had interwoven a little humour in the story which felt just right for the characters. My emotions towards the end of the story were heightened and I was left with goosebumps! 5/5*
I love a short story, they are ideal to help you wound down after a busy day … turn off your mobile and the TV put the kettle on and sit down with your ereader and relax. I also like short stories for in between big novel reads and I’d like to quote Julia herself on her agreed view of short stories “it’s almost like cleaning your palate in between courses at a ‘posh’ dinner”. A book at the price of less than a pound is nothing when compared with the enjoyment you receive from the words written, a book that brings a smile to your face is priceless!
