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Settling in Spain: Our New Life Between the Mountains and the Sea (The Tonks in Spain Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Doreen B Tonks (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.5 out of 5 stars 254 ratings
(THE TONKS IN SPAIN containing SETTLING IN SPAIN and PROSPERING IN SPAIN is now also on sale at a reduced price.) Doreen B. Tonks, thoroughly steeped in the rich tradition of books on the subject of living in Spain, decided to add her own contribution to this ever-growing body of first-rate literature, and here it is. Determined to emulate her peers by telling nothing but the truth, her able pen guides us adeptly through the trials, tribulations and occasional joys of a roving expatriate in her new land. Doreen, aided and thwarted in equal measure by her obdurate husband Ken, steps out of her semi and her part-time job at the bakery into the adventure of a lifetime and while in the process of recording each and every new experience discovers her hitherto unknown flair for writing. The publication of ‘Settling in Spain’ heralds a new star in the firmament of great Anglo-Iberian travel writers and, furthermore, is a snip at the price. The ever-magnanimous and sympathetic Doreen has asked the publisher to allow Ken to have the final word, here at least: “This book will be available until we get our first nosey parker snooping round the place, and not a day longer.” Ken E. Tonks, Spain ***NOTE: This is a COMEDY, not a straight account of a couple's move to Spain.***
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Tonks in Spain Series
  2. Print length
    107 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    1 Aug. 2014
  6. File size
    838 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 3 books in this series.
This option includes 3 books.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00MC741NG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Unblinkered Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 1 Aug. 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 838 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 107 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ The Tonks in Spain Series
  • Customer reviews:
    3.5 out of 5 stars 254 ratings

Customer reviews

3.5 out of 5 stars
254 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be a nice, easy read with honest writing and good humor. The information quality receives positive feedback, with one customer describing it as an honest account of living in Spain. The story length receives mixed reactions, with several customers finding it boring and ending too abruptly.

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32 customers mention ‘Readability’27 positive5 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and easy to read, appreciating the writer's honesty and down-to-earth style, making it a good light holiday read.

"...the style of a factual account: I found it lightly amusing, it kept me interested and within it I recognised traits of people I have known and also..." Read more

"...I enjoyed the writers honesty, and the fact that she painted a realistic picture of life for a new ex-pat. It was just too short." Read more

"Excellent, so funny by also down to earth. Think they should have done more research before renting the house in the village...." Read more

"Easy to read and get into but much shorter than expected, I had anticipated at least a few days of reading but it only took me 3 hours to read the..." Read more

14 customers mention ‘Humor’12 positive2 negative

Customers find the book amusing and entertaining to read.

"...to what is written in the style of a factual account: I found it lightly amusing, it kept me interested and within it I recognised traits of people..." Read more

"Excellent, so funny by also down to earth. Think they should have done more research before renting the house in the village...." Read more

"I found this an amusing read...." Read more

"...and while the events may be real enough she certainly gives them a humorous spin that I won’t forget in a hurry." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Information quality’5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative, with one customer describing it as an honest account of living in Spain, while another notes it provides wonderful insight into their move to the country.

"This is the first book about living in Spain, that has cast an honest look at the future of Brits in the South of the Country...." Read more

"A detailed read of life's up and downs of moving to Spain on retirement, enjoyable and eye opening. Thank you" Read more

"A short read but very entertaining and informative . It is not just about Spain but also about adjusting to retirement" Read more

"Wonderful insight in there move to Spain. I found this book to be honest and exact. Really good true read." Read more

9 customers mention ‘Story length’3 positive6 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the story length of the book, with some finding it very short and boring, while others describe it as a rather depressing tale that ends too abruptly.

"...It is unfortunately, a very disappointing book which ends rather abruptly, probably in the hope that you may buy the next instalment in order to see..." Read more

"Easy to read and an interesting account." Read more

"I enjoyed this,but it ended too abruptly. I felt there was more to give." Read more

"Starting well I began to enjoy this but it became repetitive. Then boring to suddenly the last page. Not worth buying. Not even funny." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • blacktulip
    5.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 December 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoyed it. I could imagine it would be just how I would behave.
    One person found this helpful
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  • S. Riches
    4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant holiday read, easy style but not without a few provoking thoughts.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 September 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Good light holiday read, didn't much care if it was composite assorted facts and part truth with occasional other life experiences transplanted in to what is written in the style of a factual account: I found it lightly amusing, it kept me interested and within it I recognised traits of people I have known and also a genuine insight into the ex-pats who try to wriggle into an existence in Spain or elsewhere whether or not the actual characters were composites. I'd guess that the author really has tried the things that are in the book because you couldn't invent some of the stuff unless you'd had the experiences. Her relationship with her husband which runs throughout provides an insight into how people of different character and outlook somehow hang together. Don't regard it as a real guide to settling in Spain, you don't get many useful nuts and bolts to screw together in your own wish to become an ex-pat in Spain! Steve Riches, Northampton, UK.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Busylady
    3.0 out of 5 stars Unexpectedly short!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I was just getting into this book and enjoying the characters, and looking forward to finding out more when it suddenly came to an end. I had not realised it was only 99 pages when I downloaded it. I enjoyed the writers honesty, and the fact that she painted a realistic picture of life for a new ex-pat. It was just too short.
    Helpful
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  • Lynn Gray
    2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 October 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I am finding that with recent books on living in Spain on Kindle the authors chose not to mention the places they refer to. This is disappointing as we did a lot of house hunting in Spain a few years back and I get these books to see if they are where we have been. I am also disappointed in the editing (if there is any) of books on Kindle. I think they must be typeset by the authors who use spell check so that often words used may be a correct spelling but not the right word. This has been the case with the last few books I've had on Kindle so I won't be buying any more.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Angel Eyes
    1.0 out of 5 stars A Bland Depressing Tale
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 March 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I read this short story in less than a couple of hours.

    If you are looking for useful information to relocate to Spain, then this is not the book for you.

    I found the author's writing style quite tedious, rambling and rather bigoted at times. It is very much lacking in descriptives of both characters and locations alike.

    This book comes across as a half hearted attempt at writing the story of the couple's move to Spain, it is sorely lacking in both depth and substance. None of the characters have been fleshed out, so you have absolutely no idea of what they look like or what their motives are towards this inherently suspicious author and her husband.

    Although portrayed in the book as being somewhat bigoted, the husband does at least appear to want to integrate into his new community, which is borne out by the fact that he appears to learn the lingo very quickly.

    Perhaps the author got fed up of waiting for her husband to come home from the bar. Maybe he spent that much time and money there, that she decided to while away the hours by documenting her misery in the form of this book.

    It is, in essence, a bland, depressing tale.

    It is unfortunately, a very disappointing book which ends rather abruptly, probably in the hope that you may buy the next instalment in order to see what happens next.

    I'll give it a miss.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Rivington Pike Beast Lee Roscoe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ups and downs of moving to Spain
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 January 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent, so funny by also down to earth. Think they should have done more research before renting the house in the village. But it 'turned out nice in the end'.
    One person found this helpful
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  • steve
    4.0 out of 5 stars True to life!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 May 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I found this an amusing read. Having now lived in Spain myself for 8 months I recognise a number of things - the cold winter nights in our first home in the mountains & then the better climate now we live on the coast. The trip to buy the gas heater was familiar & going to the official supplier of gas cylinders & paying 50€ When I could have bought one at a boot sale for 10€! I look forward to reading Doreens next episode!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Robin S ( Bucks )
    5.0 out of 5 stars Honest Spain
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 January 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is the first book about living in Spain, that has cast an honest
    look at the future of Brits in the South of the Country.
    Like our heroine says mountains are lovely to look, but rather off putting to live in.
    I hope she writes another tale of her continuing life on the Coast
    as I feel there is more to come!!!!!!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    2.0 out of 5 stars Disturbed
    Reviewed in the United States on 13 November 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I must say I started reading and was intrigued and sometimes a bit unsure of gruffness of the husband but continued until I got to a line that troubled me(chapter 6). One point the author talked about having a panic attack like the time her daughter brought home a black boyfriend. Then continues to write that her husband put paid to that business. Being a black woman that really rubbed me the wrong way and not sure if I want to continue. Just being honest.
    Report
  • Bandoneon
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Provincial Lady in Spain
    Reviewed in Spain on 16 February 2016
    Verified Purchase
    With a style resembling the beloved Provincial Lady, here is another book on Brits settling in Andalucía. This is one of the best. Looking forward to new books, Doreen!
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  • M.E. Wilson
    3.0 out of 5 stars A different view of Spain
    Reviewed in the United States on 1 April 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The writing style is not your usual one, but one does see a different side of Spain away from the tourist traps. Would I read any more of Doreen Tonks? Sure. This one had enough to keep me entertained.
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