Book review: Cock and Bull - Laura Barnard

Title: Cock & Bull
Author: Laura Barnard: 
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Description:

Who knew that owning a pub would come with so many extras?

When Phoebe and Ella Bellerose left England behind to run the Irish pub they’d inherited, it sounded like a great adventure… until they saw for themselves what a wreck they’d been left.

With no experience, a severe lack of money, and a rival pub owner threatening to ruin them, the two girls aren’t convinced they can actually make this work.

Not until they meet Clooney Breen, who just so happens to be packed with charm, charisma, and barman skills that could help them all survive. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s the son of Cock & Bull’s biggest rival, and he’s desperate to help Ella and Phoebe teach his father a lesson.

But can mysterious Clooney, with his obvious secrets and desire to be their saviour, really be trusted? Or are they being played by this handsome lothario who seems too good to be true? Their problems only seem to grow and grow, until Phoebe discovers a ‘gift’ of her own that changes everything for all of them…

Things you should know about this rom com:

🍺 Tortured Bad Boy Hero
🍾 Enemies to Lovers Tension
🍸 Small Town Vibes & Gossiping Tribes
🍹 Quirky Sisters & Family Secrets
🍷 Slow burn, ‘will they, won’t they?’ romance.
🤣 LAUGH OUT LOUD comedy.

My opinion: 

The story begins when sisters Phoebe and Ella inherit a pub in Ireland from their great aunt Breda. At first they're are full of hope and enthusiasm. Owning a business at such a young age is a dream come true! What could possibly go wrong? Well... a lot!

The troubles start when they first arrive at the pub. Phoebe and Ella can't believe their eyes when they see the state of the place they inherited. Cock & Bull is falling apart, totally cover with cobwebs, thick dust and the smells of stale urine fills the air. Still, the sisters don't give up, they work really hard to make the pub look and smell good.

It turns out the girls not only inherited the property but also a cute pet. A very unusual pet for that matter. Elle falls in love with it instantly, Phoebe is a bit sceptical. And then she meets Clooney and her heart skips a beat. 

When Phoebe first met Clooney I knew this is going to be rather interesting romance. Their encounters were so electrically charged it was a miracle they only had one electricity blackout in the pub. I didn't like Clooney at the beginning, he was cocky and rude, yet he knew how to use his charm on a girl. It's like he had a big, red sign on his forehead saying “troublemaker”. And indeed the was a troublemaker. He was bound to cause a lot of commotion. After all he was a son of rival pub owner. 

As the story unfolds Phoebe finds out that the pub and pet were not the only gifts left to her by her aunt Breda. However this time “the gift” was very, very special. And that's when I really started to enjoy the book. I giggled, I cried, I spilled my hot tea while laughing hysterically. My favourite part was Phoebe's encounter with Garrett.

I loved Laura's writing style. She definitely have a way with words. I'm really happy and grateful I had a chance to read ARC.
Even though it's my first book written by this author I'm sure it's not the last. Can't wait to read some more hilarious stories.