Vivien’s Heavenly Ice Cream Shop | Abby Clements | Book Review

PLOT: 3/5
CHARACTERS: 3.5/5
WRITING STYLE: 3/5
CLIMAX: 3/5
ENTERTAINMENT QUOTIENT: 3/5

My Musings

I was recently in Delhi and a trip to the national capital doesn’t come without the most important pilgrimage – the Maha Kumbh for all book lovers. Yes, I was at the Sunday book market at Daryaganj and it was there in one of those little footpath stores that I discovered this gorgeous looking book, Vivien’s Heavenly Ice Cream Shop by Abby Clements.

One look at it and I was completely floored. When I got back it didn’t take me much time to pick the book up and, in this review, I share my thoughts about the book with you.

Read on to know more.

What to expect?

Expect a book that is about ice creams, two sisters, and a great and unforgettable summer. Expect a book that is as much about finding love as it is about being together as a family.

Also, expect a book that takes you to a number of places – from the beaches of Brighton in England to the beautiful Florence in Italy and the sun-kissed beaches of Koh Tao in Thailand.

In a nutshell – expect a book that is chick-lit to its core.

The absolutely gorgeous physical copy

In addition to comfortable font sizes, font styles and easy-on-the-eye page margins, the book comes with a gorgeous cover that is just too good to pass on.

As already stated above, the physical paperback is a treat to the eye and every cover connoisseur’s dream come true.

Let’s talk about the storyline

Imogen and Anna are sisters who, though currently living thousands of miles apart, have always been very close to each other.

When the unfortunate news of their grandmother’s demise reaches Imogen, she immediately rushes home only to find that their grandmother Vivien has left her vintage ice cream shop in Brighton in the care of the two sisters; a job that they aren’t very keen on taking on.

Imogen is a free bird who hates to be tied down to a single place let alone live in Brighton to run an ice cream shop. Anna, on the other hand, is currently revelling in the financial safety of her high paying job.

To add to their woes, the place is currently a wreck and needs both customers and a great deal of money to become functional.

This is the story of the two sisters and how they decide to take the challenge that their grandmother has thrown their way while at the same time dealing with their own love troubles and insecurities.

How good is the writing style?

When it comes to writing style, the author scores some and loses some.

The romance is subtle and low key and just the way I like it. There are certain places where the plot seems too linear and appears lacklustre.

I would have loved if certain people and subplots were given more weight in the book. The inclusion of certain negative characters certainly lent the book some dimension and broke the monotony of a story which otherwise felt too easy and linear.

What I missed the most was the chick-lity details though; the things that make reading a chick lit fun. The lack of a decent dose of humour is also something that I missed in the book.

What about the characters?

While reading Vivien’s Heavenly Ice Cream Shop, it is the characters that manage to hold the story and in turn, the book together for the reader.

While Imogen is carefree and lighthearted, Anna is much more grounded and responsible. The relationship that they share with each other is an ideal one.

I also loved the characters of Finn and Matteo. They both have a kind of charm that is hard to resist.

Is the climax good enough?

The climax of the book is mediocre. It’s not great but it does bring a conclusive end to the story of Imogen, Anna and Vivien’s Heavenly Ice Cream Shop.

It all boils down to the entertainment quotient

When it comes to entertainment, there is certainly a lot left to be desired. The book does sound great at the outset but even though it has a gorgeous set of characters, an appealing theme, the ideal kind of romance, what it lacks is pace.

It isn’t as engrossing as one would imagine it to be and that is why I decide to give it three stars out of five.

Pick it up

• If you are a beginner level reader.
• If you are looking for a simple, easy and quick read.
• If you are keen on a summery chick-lit read.

Skip it

• If you are looking for a book that is very high on entertainment.
• If you don’t like chick-lit.

Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy of Vivien’s Heavenly Ice Cream Shop using the link below.