Welcome to my Sunday Book Review. Today I’m delighted to share Judith Barrow’s new holiday memoir where Judith imparts some interesting and often humorous tales about some of the interesting characters who’ve rented and stayed at her holiday rental.
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Blurb:
Author Judith Barrow gives a lively account of her experiences moving to Pembrokshire in the 1970s and managing a holiday let with some interesting visitors, sometimes amusing and sometimes rather challenging.
My 5 Star Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed these tales about some of the crazy shenanigans that have gone on at author, Judith Barrow’s holiday rental apartment in Pembrokeshire, England. One can’t imagine what goes on in a holiday rental, the bizarre, and sometimes hilarious. Let’s just say some of these characters who rented out Barrow’s guest house, took advantage of the author’s good nature – a Vicar no doubt! But was he really? There was an interesting assortment of character renters who abused the property (whether intentionally or not) – two old ladies! What could they have possibly done? The let had also been used covertly to conduct an affair (The Philanderer), while another couple were mistaken, not knowing the difference between a holiday rental and a nudist camp. These are just a few characters Barrow has encountered at her property rental.
The author begins the tales with a story of her earlier life in marriage and their decision to move south to Wales, and build a guest house on their property for added income, introducing us to what would become more like the hilarious house of tales. And based on some of these stories, it would make me question if it was all worth it? I think my favorite story was “Mr. Used-It”. A hilarious tale about a German renter without a word of English – except ‘Used it’, lol. No spoilers, suffice it to say, Ms. Barrow must have the patience of a saint! But the most annoying guest is one that required food, attention and driving services, (The Poet). Personally, I’d have long thrown him out, but again, patience.
After all the entertaining stories, the author shares a few snippets from (hilarious) reviews received from some of her guests, as well as another longer story about her aunt who eventually, years after rentals, moved into the guest house where Barrow shares the history of their relationship.
The book concludes with another story, Whose House Is This? – from an anthology she contributed the story to, a story of fiction and family, which the author is well known for – her wonderfully engaging fictional family sagas.
If you’re ever thinking about renting out your home or guest house, you may want to read this book first, lol.
©DGKaye2024
Wonderful review. Love Judith. Heading off to buy the book….
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Yay. So glad to hear Cindy! Judith will be thrilled. ❤
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Debby, I am thrilled. And grateful! x
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My pleasure Judith, a delight to read – as always. ❤ xx
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Isn’t it a great review from Debby, Cindy. And so many thanks. Hope you enjoy the books as much as I did writing it. x
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Judith’s book sounds great Debby with some relatable and hysterical charaters in it! Nicely done💕
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Thanks again Cindy. Yes indeedy! 🙂 ❤
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Nicely done, indeed, Debby.x
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Thank you for dropping by and commenting, Cindy. It’s appreciated.
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Lol, I’ve heard plenty stories about rentals, some of which put me off going through with setting up a B&B when we moved to Scotland. Sounds like it was the right decision!
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Lol Deb, according to Judith, it has its perks, but don’t forget the downfalls. Maybe you made a good choice. Lol 🙂 xx
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It was great fun, Deborah… mostly!! And we met some fascinating people … mostly!! 🙂
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🤣🤣🤣😳
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I’ve just downloaded this. It sounds like a hoot!
One of my life plans to quit the rat race was to run a B&B in Wales, although that never came about.
Thank you for sharing!
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Lol Jackie. Instead you ran away from it all! So glad you enjoyed the review and grabbed a copy of the book. No doubts you’ll enjoy. Judith will be thrilled. ❤
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. So grateful that it’s been read and downloaded,|Debby, thanks to your review.x
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❤ Judith
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Jackie, thank you. Sometimes plans aren’t ment to be!! And thank you for downloading the book – I hope you enjoy it.😊
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This is a great review. I’m looking forward to reading this book. Congratulations to Judith.
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Thank you Robbie. You’ll be in for a treat. Hugs ❤
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Nice words, Debby, thank you.x
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Just sayin’ Judith 🙂 ❤
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Isn’t it a brilliant review, Robbie. Thank you so much. I do hope you enjoy the read.
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👍🏻💝
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A lovely review Debby for this heartwarming and highly entertaining book by Judith… certainly did not encourage me into holiday letting but certainly great stories to read and enjoy by a master storyteller. ♥
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HI Sal. You said it, highly entertaining in true Judith style. Lol on the no holiday letting for you. I don’t blame you. Lol ❤ xx
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♥♥
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❤
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Holiday lettings certainly give a wonderful insight to human nature in so many ways, Debby. and thank you for your kind words. x
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❤ ❤
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Sally, that is alovely compliment. Thank you so much!xx
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Hugs girls ❤ xox
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♥♥
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Great review, Debby. I’ve bought the book. Thanks for the introduction! x
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Thanks Stevie. So glad you enjoyed. Now enjoy the reading romp! Judith will be happy to hear. Hugs ❤
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I am so happy, Debby. Andgrateful to you and Stevie. xx
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Hugs to you Judith. Take it all in my lovely friend. ❤ xox
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Thank you so much, Stevie, c
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This sounds like a great one Debby.
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Judith never disappoints Brenda. ❤
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It’s very kind of you to say so, Debby. I appreciate that. x
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Just the facts Judith. 🙂 😉 ❤
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Thank you, Brenda.
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Hi Debby – this sounds an intriguing read – and obviously the characters would make sense to us over here … an extraordinary collection by the sound of it – I’ve made a note to try and read via the Library later in the summer – cheers Hilary
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Hi Hilary. I’m happy to introduce you to Judith’s book. It really is a fun romp, I do hope you get to read. Hugs ❤
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Thank you, Debby. x
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❤
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Thank you for dropping by to comment, Hilary.
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A let sounds like fun–like a bed and breakfast. Even your few stories, Debby–I am now disabused of the romanticism!
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Lol Jacqui. Anything seems to go while on holiday. 🙂
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Fun and often eye-watering, Jacqui. Human nature is always a surprise.😊
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Anything, Debby. As we found out!!x
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🙂 😉 😉 ❤
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Thank you for the wonderful review! Just the title makes me want to rush over to Amazon!
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Hi Holly. Thanks for dropping by. It’s surely a fun romp at a very amazing price right now! ❤
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I hope to add it to my mile high indie collection! ❤️
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Lol, I know that one well. 🙂 ❤
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I’m very proud to have them in my library collection. Have a lovely day 💞
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Me too. Thanks Holly. Have a great day. ❤
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You too ! xo
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❤ Thanks.
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So welcome!
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I just visited your blog because I hadn’t received anything for awhile as I’m subscribed. Just found my subscription on ‘pause’. Thanks to WordPress. I’ve
‘unpaused’ notifications. Lol 🙂 xx
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Oh wow, that happens a lot .I’ll suddenly notice that I haven’t seen anything from this person or that and I have to refollow. Thank you for finding me again ❤️
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Happy to ❤
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Well, it would be really nice if you did, and enjoyed the read Holly. I’m grateful for Debby’s enticing review. Thank you for dropping by to comment.😊
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You’re welcome
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This sounds absolutely delightful – congrats to Judith on such a great review
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Thank you Toni. And a very fun read! ❤
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Thank you so much, Toni. I enjoyed remembering our visitors and writing about them (names changed, of course!! lol)
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Another one for the list, Debby. Great review and congratulations to Judith. ♥
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HI Olga. Thanks so much for stopping by in your busy time. Hugs ❤
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Thank you, Olga. I hope you enjoy the read if you ever manage to wade through your list. (I know the feeling!! lol)😊
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This book sounds delightful. Thank you!❤️
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Thanks again Holly ❤
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What a laugh! An interesting idea for a book from Judith. We have bought a small property in Edinburgh now … we may rent it out one day! I have heard some terrible horror stories about renting out flats! In one case one person did 40k damage and wouldn’t leave! Or they don’t pay their rent. They eventually got the person out but that does worry me!
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Wow Marje. I too have heard scary rental stories. You are brave. Maybe you need to chat with Judith. LOL 🙂 xx
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Yes, it is worrying. But that’s what I get for living part time in Portugal! 😆
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La Dolce Vita Marje. xx
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Here to pass onm great tips, Debby. LOL. x
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Lol Judith 🙂 xoxo
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Holiday lets can be fun, Marjorie – human nature is so intriguing. These accounts are of our most interesting visitors… that’s one way to put it.LOL.😊
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Yes, there is nothing as strange as folk, Judith!
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I just bought the book, based on the blurb–and your review, Debby.
Yesterday I finished reading an amazing whodunit and have felt the need to explore the “whodunit” theme in a different way. Thanks!
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HI Marian. I’m thrilled my review helped your decision to purchase the book. No doubts you will enjoy. ❤
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I am so thrilled you have such a lovely following of you reviews, Debby. xx
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Thanks Judith. So am I. I love reading reviews – the result of over 1200 books on my Kindle. LOL I intend to read them all! ❤ 🙂
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Thank you for giving my memoir/antgology a chance, Marian. I do hope you enjoy the read. I so appreciated, Debby reviewing Live and Let
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This sounds like a super fun read! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it, Debby and congrats to Judith on another winner!
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Thank you Jan. x
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Thank you, Jan. I’m grateful to Debby and thrilled she has liked and reviewed it. x
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I look forward to Sundays, Debby! You always recommend the best books.
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Oh wow, thank you so much Rebecca. I know I sometimes stray off the wall jumping genres but I’m happy to share all, knowing well every book isn’t for every one. 🙂 xx
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Debby always writes brilliant and honest reviews, Rebecca, so I am really glad… and thrilled… she liked my book.,
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What’s not to love? ❤
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Congratulations to Judith on the wonderful review! Just the idea of renting out anything I own to strangers gives me the heebie-jeebies.
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Me too Liz. Hubby and I felt that way when we talked about buying a condo in Mexico and renting out – it never happened. x
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Thank you, Liz, I didn’t know the meaning of heebie-jeebies until I met some of our visitors. LOL
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I can well imagine! 🙂 x
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You’re welcome, Judith. I can imagine!
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Terrific review! I think this book needs to get on my Kindle. LOL 🩷🌸
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Thanks Kymber. Yes, get it on there! 🙂 xx
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Thank you so much, Kymber. Debby’s review is so appreciated. I hope you enjoy the book if you do put it on your kindle.
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Wow! This sounds interesting and hilarious.
You sure gave it a great review, Debby. Having rented out spaces for a decade in the 90’s, I have no interest any more. Like you say, patience of a saint. The Poet sounds… ….poetic!
Thanks for the review!
Hugs 🌹❦🌹❦
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Lol Res, love your last line. But I hear you. Hubby and I talked often about renting out a condo or a basement in the past. The conversation just slithered away. LOL ❤ xxx
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❦🌹❦❦🌹❦
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Sometimes it’s important to let ideas… slither away, Debby. lol xx
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So true Judith. ❤
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Isn’t it a brilliant review from Debby – I am thrilled, Res. I think it’s important to keep a sense of humour, and then wave the ‘difficult’ visitors off with a smile… and relief. The poet was indeed… poetic!!
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Yes! It’s a brilliant review. I’m a huge fan of Debby. ❦❦
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❤ ❤
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This sounds like a fun read. I’m in the mood for something light. I think I’ll pick it up later tonight when I make my weekly donation to Amazon.
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Lol Pete. A great donation and a great light read. And only 99 cents right now!!! 🙂
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Thanks, Debby. xx
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❤
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I hope you do manage a chuckle or two if you do read it, Pete. Some of our visitors made us laugh… after they’d left!!. Many thanks for dropping by.
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Fantastic review, Debby. A big congratulations to Judith for this amazing achievement. 😊
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HI Gwen. Thanks so much. Judith did a great job with the stories – and a great job being a landlord LOL 🙂 ❤
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Well, at least no one seemed to hear my screams of relief when they left, Debby!! lol x
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Lolol Judith. I imagined. 🙂 xx
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Gwen, thank you. So chuffed with Debby’s review – and that the book is being liked and read! x
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Love your review, Debby! My favourite was The Poet – a superb tale that had me actually laughing as the events developed. It’s a delightful read and, as they say, truth is stranger than fiction! xx
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HI Trish. You said it girl! You can’t even make that stuff up LOL. I always enjoy Judith’s stories – and storytelling. Thanks for sharing here that you too enjoyed Trish. What’s not to love? Hugs ❤ xxx
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Sometimes true ‘happenings’ leave one wondering did that really happen just then, Trish. And then be thankful we came out unscathed. LOL xx
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It is that saying about truth being stranger than fiction! xx
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Yes. 🙂 xx
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I started this book last night, Debby, and I’m right at the point where they decide to let. I’m looking forward to the rest and may even finish it today. Great review and huge congrats to Judith. 🙂
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Lol Diana. I’m sure you are finished by now. And now I’m looking forward to your review! 🙂 ❤
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I am done. What a lovely book – hilarious and then very poignant.
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Yes. Judith is so good at that. 🙂
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Thank you so much Diana. I do hope you enjoyed the rest of the book. x
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I finished it, Judith, and will get a review done tomorrow. 🙂 ❤
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Pembrokeshire is a beautiful part of the country and very attractive to holiday makers, but holiday makers come in many forms. This sounds like a fun read, I admire anyone brave enough to run holiday accommodation. It’s stressful enough having visitors to stay who you know!
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Lol Janet. It was a fun romp. And I’m with you on being brave enough to run one. 🙂
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I know we’re lucky to live here, Janet. (so why do we go away on holiday I ask myself- as we’ve just done! So sorry for the late reply). Taking in visitors was fun… most of the time. Looking back, I wonder how I had the energy. LOL
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Sounds very nice. Thank you.
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Thank you. 🙂
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Thank you.😊
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If I ever get through all the books on my shelves, I will have to visit your blog to see what’s left. 😉
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Thanks Michelle. There are no shortage of books and reviews on my blog whenever you’re ready. ❤
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Debby always gives good, honest reviews, Michelle. And I am so grateful for her thoughts on my book.😊
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❤
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I need to add this to my home library, Debby! We love watching home shows, but for the buyers who are looking for a place that they can rent out while enjoying it themselves just baffles us. We couldn’t have a place, then rent it out to strangers when we’re not there. It helps pay the mortgage, but still. 🙂 Thanks for another great review! 🩷🌷
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I hear you Lauren. My husband and I discussed buying a rental property and felt the same way. But hey, in these crazy times, a rental property is a little gold mine. 🙂 xx
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It’s a great review from Debby, isn’t it, Lauren! I’m grateful. We were lucky that our aprtment was next to our home, so we were always around. Mind you, with some of our visitors I almost wished we weren’t. LOL
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I loved this book as well for all the same reasons.
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Thanks for sharing that with us here Darlene ❤
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Thank you so much, Darlene. I appreciate that. 😊x
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This sounds like a fabulous read, Debby. Thanks for your review.
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My pleasure Norah. Thanks. ❤
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