Mum's Monday: The Little Unicorn Gift Shop by Kellie Hailes

Well that was quick, Poppy is home from a foreign country to deal/deals done on Ben, the/her shop. I just hope the twins do work. 

To give Poppy a compliment, kind of like Ben did, she did accomplish a lot but risk is risk and I think or know Ben would have missed out. So not much of a risk, I believe an opportunity with two rules, his half, her half, and don’t mock her customers. I agree with the second rule but how long the first rule will last, only time will tell. I don’t think it will be a long time though. They also say opposites attract and from what I have read so far Poppy and Ben seem the ultimate opposites. However, I can see why Poppy is so upbeat with what she has been through in her past. Yes, she does take life seriously and sadly, it seems she gets easily hurt. This part is not nice to read but with going into business together things do need clarifying between them. It also does high-light that upbeat people still do have feelings.

This book is clever as it interweaves snippets of what happened in the past and hints of what could/can or will happen in the future part of this story. It is intriguing enough to keep me hooked and want to keep reading.

Poppy made running a business seem so simple but this book high-lights that there is so much more to running a business than the way Poppy described it. The sad fact is the realisation did hit Poppy but I am glad Ben is going to help her, but not everyone has that kind of support.

With reading about setting up of the shop(s)/businesses and of Poppy’s troubles growing up, although it is mentioned a lot but I must not forget the feud between Ben and his father. It is nice now that Ben’s mother has come into the shop.

I know I am not yet half way through this book, but I wish these two, Ben and Poppy would get their act together. The part where Milly is in the picture is a little awkward to read. I am glad the ‘Unicorn gift shop’ will get a mention in the article though.

Now as I read on, I see Ben and Poppy’s situation is going to take time, this book is really well written describing a realistic build up to a, I want to say difficult situation, and this is part of it, but more appropriately I should describe it as an attempt at convincing someone ‘Love exists’ mixed with awkward even bad, although this is a bit strong, communication between Poppy and Ben. I have to be prepared to read/be interested in this for the long haul.

There is a glimmer of hope, but it is all too quickly sadly, shut down. It is sad to finally read what happened to one make Poppy leave when she did and two why Poppy is now and then so reluctant to ‘Love’.

The family dinner/barbecue at Ben’s parent’s house was like reading a rollercoaster ride. I was surprised that Ben’s dad, Robert came around so quickly to Ben’s new venture. It did feel slightly rushed and sadly, cringingly unrealistic, this part could have been a bit longer, not that I want to see families at war but this just needed a little extra. I do however, like that the family are now reunited. Now it seems Poppy hopefully cannot deny what she has witnessed how ever much she tries to block it out and run. Sadly, yes, her mum has affected her but that is, as I see it, only one aspect of her life, albeit a big one though.

I like reading the part about Poppy’s birthday, however, the first threat that if she took her blind fold off then it was the end of the glittery biscuits was a bit strong. I am glad that so far Poppy is actually having a great birthday with Ben, even after not wanting to acknowledge her birthday ever existed over the years.

As Ben was a lawyer the only way I can put this is that ‘The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth’ is out. The phrase just seemed very fitting to what Poppy found out from Ben with his house and that he isn’t as much of a risk taker as was first thought, although I see she already knew that but the full extent has now become clearer. I am also glad that Poppy’s birthday has taken the direction it has, as it could so easily have gone in another bad way. This book keeps you guessing and makes you want to read on.

It is sad to see the three words ‘I love you’ cause so much trouble and an unexpected exit in more ways than one. However, before that I thought Ben knew or would have already realised the extent of the effect Poppy’s mother had on her. Also I agree Ben is not Poppy’s mother’. Now he just has to convince Poppy the same.

I like how Milly talked sense into Poppy also it was a surprise to read of who Poppy was visiting. I thought the surprise would be that she went home not to the doorstep she did end up crossing. Well there was a surprise, a very unexpected, and the very nature of a surprise, visitor. Now Poppy is on her way to ‘Love’. And such a big love and a future of, in Poppy’s words, ‘Unicorn-esque’-ness.