Rock star, River Jackson, is back in his hometown of Glastonbury to open a cocktail bar… and the locals aren’t impressed.
Seductive Georgina is proving too hot to handle; band mate, Angelic Alice, is messing with his heart and his head; his mum is a hippie-dippy liability; his school friends have resorted to violence – oh, and his band manager, Lennie, AND the media are on his trail.
But River is armed with a magical Mexican elixir which will change the lives of the Three Chosen Ones. Once the Mexican wave of joy takes a hold of the town, he’s glad he didn’t lose his proverbial bottle.
Pity he hasn’t taken better care of the real one…
The Cocktail Bar by Isabella May Review
A Novel that Slips Down Way too Easily
The Cocktail Bar is the second of Isabella Mays novels. After a truly immersive and thought-provoking debut, May is back with an equally addictive second novel.
In The Cocktail Bar, we find ourselves back in colourful Glastonbury. Who knew so many interesting characters could be found in this small part of the world? But fear not those who loved the travel aspect of May’s first novel, there is plenty of movement in this one too.
Although set in Glastonbury, River (the protagonist) and his story transport us to Bath, London, Prague, and Mexico picking up an armful of spicy ingredients and characters along the way. And just as food features highly in her first novel (Oh! What a Pavlova), delicious cocktails feature heavily in this her second.
But what is the book about?
River Jackson, a reluctant rock star, is setting up a Cocktail Bar in the hippy lovers haven of Glastonbury. Battling against the cider loving hippies, River is determined to show the locals that variety is the spice of life, and his concoctions are sure to stir up a fair amount of spice.
With more than a few hilarious and engaging characters, May keeps you guessing throughout and when River is given a magical Mexican ‘elixir’ that is guaranteed to change the lives of three special customers, as a reader you can’t help but become engrossed in the lives of those who are destined to change. But, is it really the elixir that will change them?
With a healthy glug of humour, a sliver of sexy wit and copious cultural and local references as well as Mays trademark spiritual elements, this delectable read would make the perfect accompaniment to a refreshing Coco Loco during a beach holiday.
Just like that tasty but dangerous party punch, The Cocktail Bar slips down way too easily and leaves you hungry for more.
Hats of to Isabella May, producing a second novel that lives up to the expectations of a stunning debut is no easy task, but one she manages easily.
Published by: Crooked Cat Publishing
ISBN: 978-198163-095-0
