The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Faking It Author: Portia MacIntosh Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Boldwood Books Publication Date: 26th January 2021 Rating: 5 Stars The perfect house, the perfect husband and the perfect life... or is she just faking it? Life has been a bit of a rollercoaster for Ella. Growing up as the 'less successful' identical twin to her 'perfectly successful' sister, Emma, has left her feeling isolated, inadequate and let's face it.. a little bitter. When Emma unexpectedly reaches out to Ella in a time of need, Ella suddenly finds herself with the opportunity to fill in for her sister and experience how the other half live. But as Ella navigates the world of gossiping mothers, rebellious teens and trying to play the model housewife (not to mention avoiding the temptation of attractive men at the school gates...) will she discover that all is not always as it seems on the other side? Discover the brilliantly funny new romantic comedy from top 10 bestseller Portia MacIntosh. Perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Sophie Ranald and Lindsey Kelk. Completely hilarious even with actual laugh out loud moments. Emma and Ella have barely seen each other since they were 18, with their lives going in very different directions and yet when Emma calls her identical twin sister Ella and asks for her help rather urgently, Ella reluctantly agrees. And so we have Ella swapping places with her sister as Emma has to let's say go away for a few weeks, but doesn't want her reputation ruined. Almost no one even knows she has a twin, and Ella barely knows her niece and has never met her 9 year old nephew, so even her kids won't be any the wiser. Ella who when we first meet her has just managed to lose her home, job and car all on the same day, and sounds like she may be rather flaky, knows she has been handed a lifeline even if its unusual and seeing how she copes as she attempts to be the best version of her sister that she can be is so so amusing. I loved the way Ella developed and changed not just to be Emma but in time to be a better person within herself, This is such a quirky and different storyline and it really kept me entertained, as you never knew what Ella as Emma would encounter next, let alone what her reactions might me. And she really gets to know the two kids, as well as well a few of the men in the village including one that could be Ella in male form! I loved everything about this book, it was an entertaining and fast book to read and certainly up to Portia MacIntosh's normal standards if not even better! Just loads of fun and I can imagine it would be a very amusing film too! Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: A Brush With Death Author: Fiona Leitch Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: One More Chapter Publication Date: 12th February 2021 Rating: 4 Stars Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker is back! When a body turned up at her last catering gig it certainly put people off the hor d'oeuvres. So with a reputation to salvage, Jodie’s determined that her next job for the village’s festival will go without a hitch. But when chaos breaks out, Jodie Parker somehow always finds herself in the picture. The body of a writer from the festival is discovered at the bottom of a cliff, and the prime suspect is the guest of honour, the esteemed painter Duncan Stovall. With her background in the Met police, Jodie has got solving cases down to a fine art and she knows things are rarely as they seem. Can she find the killer before the village faces another brush with death? Well this was rather unpredictable but having seen the resolution in full, I'd also say it felt far more complicated than anticipated too! It was lovely to be back with Jodie Parker, in Penstowan, Cornwall, and I loved the various male admirers she clearly has even if she isn't quite ready to admit to them, or pick between them! I found the start of the book felt a bit slow to me, in that I kept expecting a dead body and disappointed it hadn't happened yet. The build up though was needed, and all my guesses as to who was going to be killed were incorrect, and that's before you even try to solve the murder. It was the dynamic between Jodie, who is ex-police and current detective for the town Tony, and how they are both trying to look into this death, even though Jodie isn't a PI, as you may half expect from this sort of book. Tony is starting to exchange information with Jodie and listen to her theories and it's starting to feel like they could be a team to be reckoned with, even if Jodie is helping in some sort of voluntary role. Set amongst an arts and literary festival, there are plenty of familiar faces from the first book but equally this could easily be read as a standalone, I love that in Jodie's role as a caterer she is able to be invited to these various events and possibly blend into the background, so she can get to hear things she may not otherwise. It's an enjoyable second book in the series and I'm certainly keen to read the next one to see how the regular characters develop further, and to see just what will happen next! Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Dreaming of Tuscany Author: T. A. Williams Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Canelo Publication Date: 11th February 2019 Rating: 5 Stars The glamour of Hollywood. The magic of the Tuscan countryside. One big decision... Beatrice Kingdom (Bee to her friends) wakes up in hospital in Tuscany. After an accident on a film set leaves her burned and scarred, she feels her whole life has been turned upside down. Bee is offered the chance of recuperating in a stunning Tuscan villa in the company of a world-famous film star, the irascible Mimi Robertson. Here amid the vines and olive groves, Bee quickly finds there’s more to the place than meets the eye, not least a certain Luca (and Romeo the dog). As she comes to terms with her injuries and her new life takes shape, Bee will have to travel a road of self-discovery… and make a huge decision. It is always a pleasure to sit down and be absorbed into a new T. A. Williams book and I'm delighted to say that this was no exception. i loved every moment of this well written book, from its amazing descriptions of the Tuscan villa, the surrounding area, Italian food, a gorgeous man, beautiful scenery, to the fledgling friendship between Bree and Mimi. Bree is a history specialist, and Mimi is a famous film star, and with the exception of the film they had both just been working on, the only other thing they have in common is that they were both injured in a freak accident on the film set. Which leads to them recuperating together in a remote Tuscan Villa. I loved seeing how Bree adapted to life in the countryside, and the scenery on her many walks was really vividly described. And her regular companion while walking around the huge grounds, is Romeo. Romeo is adorable, handsome, loyal, a huge fan of Italian food, and a fabulous companion for Bree, as he knows his way around really well. Of course Luca his owner has all those same qualities too and he and Bree seem to be on the same wave length about most things. Oh and Romeo is in fact the trademark of a T. A. Williams book, a black Labrador! I really enjoyed every moment of this book, and would have loved the story to continue for longer, as i wasn't ready to leave these characters behind. Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Amazon UK The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Title: A Friend Called Alfie Author: Rachel Wells Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Avon Publication Date: 17th October 2019 Rating: 5 Stars The Sunday Times bestseller returns for a sixth book! Alfie and his mischievous kitten George are back for more adventures – this time with a puppy in tow… At Christmas time we all need a friend… Alfie and his kitten, George, have always known that a human is for life and not just for Christmas. So when George learns that one of the residents of Edgar Road has been taken into hospital, he realises it’s up to him to provide some comfort at this difficult time of year. The only problem is that they now have a little puppy in tow – Pickles the Pug, who is convinced he can be a cat if only he sticks with his new found friends. As George tries to do everything he can to make the world – and its humans – happier, Alfie struggles to keep Pickles in check and out of trouble. Because even the best laid plans can be destroyed by a well-meaning – but mischievous – little puppy… Join Alfie, George – and now Pickles – as they come to the rescue of some lonely souls. The perfect read for fans of James Bowen from the Sunday Times bestseller. I have no idea where to begin with this review other than saying this is a purrfect festive read, that is incredibly funny but also full of an important message about being lonely at Christmas. I loved the new addition to Alfie and George's family, Pickles the Pug. Pickles is determined to be the best cat he can be which leads to all sorts of hilarious antics, and fabulous lines. He really isn't the smartest of puppies, and is just that bit mischievous too, without really intending to be. Seeing the cat's friendship group essentially adopt a dog is so amusing. And then there is George who is growing up before our very eyes and now has let's just say a close friendship with a female cat which is so cute to see, as well his determination to get a job. I loved George's job, I had guessed what it might be and the section leading up to Alfie discovering what his son is up to was so amusing. These cats have such human qualities to them, and are far smarter then their humans, although all the 2 legged people in this book are great too, and I enjoyed catching up with them. Then there is Alfie's own love life, which seems complicated, and the fact he is forever being tasked with puppy sitting!! I mean a cat looking after a dog, when have you ever seen that before, but yet it felt so believable. There are so many subplots and threads running through this book, it was like watching a tv series but being able to binge watch it so you didn't miss a thing!! I adore Alfie, George and the rest of the felines (both real ones and the pug), and this has cemented itself to my mind as a series I need to continue to follow forever as I love the characters and writing so much. Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: The Love Solution Author: Ashley Croft Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Avon Publication Date: 15th August 2019 Rating: 4 Stars One of them has love down to a science… Sisters Sarah and Molly are close, but they couldn’t be more different. Sarah makes jewellery and is obsessed with all things shiny and glam, whilst Molly is most at home in her white coat and goggles, working in a science lab. When Molly is put on a new assignment, she’s over the moon. It’s an important, top-secret project – and she has a handsome new boss to ogle at when she’s not staring into a petri dish… But when Sarah finds herself on the painful end of a disastrous break-up, no amount of Ben & Jerry’s or trashy rom-coms can cheer her up. She wants to take a more drastic approach to dealing with her heartbreak, and one that only her sister – and perhaps a sprinkle of science – can help with… Is love really all in the chemistry? Or will Sarah get more than she bargained for? A story about two sisters who a are really unlucky in love. From the prologue you get a great understanding of why they are so close, and the chapters alternated between Molly and Sarah. Sarah walks in on her partner cheating on her, on new years eve, hours after discovering she is pregnant but before she has told Niall. Molly has a massive crush on Ethan who she works closely with, but he is a workaholic and seemingly oblivious to Molly even being a woman! They are both though incredibly talented scientists who are working on something that could make you fall in love. As we get to know both sisters we can see just what a pickle they are both in and I enjoyed reading to find out if either would get a happy ending. Although there is some science in the book there is also jewellery or more specific tiara making. And it's from a tiara making workshop we meet Liam, who was easily my favourite of the men in the book! I really enjoyed reading this story, was certainly interested in the outcomes and its well written. I particularly loved the first two instances of Liam popping up, and also all the tandem riding! It's definitely a book that makes you wonder that if you used some sort of love potion, would you be able to live with yourself knowing the other person may only be interested because of unnatural chemicals? Thank you to Netgalley an d Avon for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Villa of Sun and Secrets Author: Jennifer Bohnet Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Boldwood Books Publication Date: 8th August 2019 Rating: 5 Stars It's never too late to live the dream... Carla Sullivan’s 50th birthday is fast approaching when her whole world is turned upside down. Discovering her feckless husband is having yet another affair and following her mother’s death, she is in need of an escape. Finding an envelope addressed to her mother’s estranged sister Josette in the South of France gives Carla the perfect plan. Seizing the moment, she packs her bags and heads to Antibes to seek out the enigma known as Tante Josette. But as the two women begin to forge a tentative relationship, family secrets start to unravel, forcing Carla to question her life as she has always known it. A heart-warming tale on the beautiful French Riviera, which will keep you guessing. Perfect for the fans of Jill Mansell and Fern Britton. Well there is a title that completely sums up the book, there is a villa that is key to the story, its set in the South of France in summer, so loads of sun.... and secrets.... ...wow, that family is hiding a lot of secrets for many many years. Aunt Josette has been cut off from her family for many years, but when her twin sister Amelia dies, and niece Carla comes to visit, well she knows its only a matter of time before the truth will out. There is such a lovely feel to this story, its, warm, had me smiling and gasping. I loved that it featured older characters, and how Carla is finally fed up of her cheating husband and is determined to start a new life for herself. Although I don't think anyone would be able to predict how different Carla's life would be by the end of the book compared with the start. It's a story that kept me on my toes and I couldn't stop reading it, determined to find out more the whole time. Just a really lovely story, and just what I've come to expect from this fabulous author. Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Seven Days Author: Alex Lake Format reviewed: Paperback Source: Felicity Denham at Harper Collins Publisher: Harper Collins Publication Date: 10th October 2019 Rating: 5 Stars A race against time to save her child… In seven days, Maggie’s son, Max, turns three. But she’s not planning a party or buying presents or updating his baby book. She’s dreading it. Because in her world, third birthdays are the days on which the unthinkable happens… she loses her child. For the last twelve years Maggie has been imprisoned in a basement. Abducted aged fifteen, she gave birth to two sons before Max, and on their third birthdays her captor came and took them from her. She cannot let it happen again. But she has no idea how to stop it. And the clock is ticking… OMG - WOW!!! I have no other words... .... go buy and read this book now, it is that AMAZING! I've literally just sat in my garden for two hours and have devoured every last word of this book - there is great amounts of tension and the question that keeps driving the story forward is, will Maggie be able to save her son in 7 days time, and if so how. She was kidnapped and imprisoned 12 years before that and the man who took her, has fathered three children with her, and each one was taken away on their third birthday, never to be seen again. Maggie is determined that it won't happen again this time, but equally she has no idea just what will work as she has tried to escape over the years. From the readers point of view we see the present day situation with Maggie, in addition to sections from her family members and police, all in incredibly short and more-ish chapters. All the time lines are introduced clearly so you always know where you are in the story and who the current focus is on. I think the very short chapters work really well in this book as they create as sense of urgency, and I wouldn't have been able to put this book down if you had asked. I've read most of Alex Lake's books and without a doubt this is an author who started off with fabulous books and is improving and writing even better, more addictive stories each time. This must be her best yet. From our viewpoint, we knew how had taken Maggie, but I just couldn't quite reach inside the pages and tell the police what was going on. Maggie's experiences are horrifying, I would hate to ever be in a similar situation but we also see how her being missing has affected the entire family. Simply put this is one fantabulous book, which hooked me in really quickly, from the prologue and didn't let me go until the last page. Thank you to Felicity Denham for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Amazon UK Title: The Place We Met Author: Isabelle Broom Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Michael Joseph Publication Date: 30th November 2017 Rating: 4 Stars Taggie is only a few months into her job as a tour guide in Lake Como. She's rushed off her feet, but distraction is what she needs to forget why she left England. Lucy arrives at Lake Como with her perfect new boyfriend, Pete. Falling fast in love, she's sure that life is about to start for her, it feels so right with him. But as New Year's Eve approaches and the women meet by chance, it becomes clear this isn't the perfect place of new beginnings. While Lucy is willing to do anything to keep hold of Pete, the past Taggie so desperately wanted to escape is catching up with her . Lake Como at around Christmas and the New Year is the setting for this book. The story alternates between two rather different women, and my feelings towards both of them changed regularly as the story progressed. I did though find the book felt a bit slow to start, and it took for the two stories to merge to really hold my attention at which point I really did want to know what was going to happen next. Taggie is working as a tour guide in her beloved Lake Como having escaped misery back in England. It is not clear for a long while exactly why she is in Italy, but I found myself drawn into her life there anyway I loved the various towns that are visited and all the various Christmassy activities that are happening in the area. Lucy decides to take her new boyfriend Pete on holiday to Lake Como, a place she loved as a child. I loved their initial sight seeing, especially the Christmas market. Yet Lucy is a very insecure woman and is convinced that Pete is hiding things in his past, little does she know yet what it is. I found though that I struggled to really like or connect with any of the main characters, in fact Elsie, Taggie's friend was probably one of my favourite characters and she wasn't even in the book that much. As much as I tend to love Isabelle Bloom's books, this one just left me slightly flat, and to me although is still a very good book, is missing the brilliance of her other work. Thank you to Netgalley and Michael Joseph for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Wedding Bells at Villa Limoncello Author: Daisy James Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Canelo Publication Date: 11th March 2019 Rating: 5 Stars When Isabella Jenkins is unceremoniously fired from her fancy London job, she escapes to Tuscany. A few weeks hiding amongst rolling hills and grape vines at Villa Limoncello sounds exactly like the distraction she needs. But Italy holds emotional memories for Izzie and with a hapless handyman, a matchmaking village matriarch and a gorgeous – if infuriating – local chef named Luca Castelotti, her quiet Italian get away turns into an unending cacophony of chaos. Suddenly Izzie finds herself on a mission to pull off the wedding of the century and maybe get her life in order in the process. If only Luca’s gorgeous smile wasn’t such a powerful distraction… Daisy James has done it again with another book that really transports you to the location, in this case Villa Limoncello in Tuscany, fills you with wonderful descriptions, and delicious sounding food. And better still its the first book in a trilogy, so I have a feeling I will be reading book 2 very shortly, as I need more of the Villa Limoncello and all the lovely new friends that Isabelle makes in my life. Isabella for the past few years has been living a grey and drab life, but she has good reason for it, and it takes for her getting sacked, and being co-erced into staging a wedding in a Tuscan Villa for her to start to come back to life. Every chapter is headed with a location and also a colour which really does help give a feeling for just how vivid and bright life is in Italy, and Izzie starts to realise life isn't all about lists, even though they are needed if she has a hope of pulling off this wedding. There are a few small mysteries in the book to add intrigue, I loved all the people that we meet, some gorgeous Italian men, and some mouth watering food descriptions. This book has everything you could possibly want from a Daisy James rom-com, and its yet another incredibly enjoyable book by this wonderful author. Bring on the next book! Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Unfollow Me Author: Charlotte Duckworth Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Quercus Publication Date: 15th October 2020 Rating: 4 Stars You can't stop watching her. Violet Young is a hugely popular journalist-turned-mummy-influencer, with three children, a successful husband and a million subscribers on YouTube who tune in daily to watch her everyday life unfold. Until the day she's no longer there. But one day she disappears from the online world - her entire social media presence deleted overnight, with no explanation. Has she simply decided that baring her life to all online is no longer a good idea, or has something more sinister happened to Violet? But do you really know who Violet is? Her fans are obsessed with finding out the truth, but their search quickly reveals a web of lies, betrayal, and shocking consequences... What would make a popular mummy blogger suddenly delete all of her profiles without any warning? And just who is behind the rather creepy emails that she is receiving? And can it be at all healthy to obsess over just one influencer to the extent that your actions could be considered illegal? Well all these questions are more are answered in Unfollow Me, a compelling look at how two women in particular respond to this youtuber's disappearance. And let's just say nothing is as it seems and if I was to try to go into any detail I may accidentally spoil things. Suffice to say that for my first foray into this author, I was impressed, and highly curious as to what would happen next at all points of the plot. Thank you to Quercus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Summer at Rachel's Pudding Pantry Author: Caroline Roberts Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: One More Chapter Publication Date: 23rd July 2020 Rating: 5 Stars The Pudding Pantry opens its doors for summer. And there are wedding bells on the horizon . . . Escape with the gorgeous new novel in the Pudding Pantry series, available to pre-order now! The sun is shining as Rachel and her gorgeous beau, Tom, prepare to tie the knot at Primrose Farm. It takes a village to pull off the perfect country wedding and Rachel couldn’t be more grateful for her friends and family as they roll out the haybales and string up the bunting – all she needs to do is focus on her Happy Ever After. But no wedding is without drama. A face from the past is looking to stir up trouble in the village and there’s a secret following Rachel all the way up the aisle . . . With old friends, new promises and a little borrowed time, will Rachel get the wedding of her dreams? It is so good to be back amongst the Pudding Pantry crew. It felt like I was coming home, as I got to catch up with all the familiar characters and see the next instalment in their lives. And Rachel is getting married, or at least she hopes to be, but it soon becomes apparent things aren't quite as smooth sailing in the relationship with Tom, as it first appears. So throughout there is a will they, won't they walk down the aisle thread. I loved Rachel's hen party in Oban, sounded like a great time, and plenty of bubbles. And wow Rachel's wedding dress and just how that comes about is enough to bring a smile to the grumpiest of faces! As you would expect from the Pudding Pantry, there is a wonderful array of sweet treats to tantalise your taste buds, and have you salivating into your kindle. Best friend Eve is back too, complete with all of her clever crafting ideas, and generally being very creative. However things aren't completely right with her marriage, but will she give into temptation. And little Maisie is adorable as ever, and there are some really touching moments with her, as she realises there is more to her mum getting married than just the big day! Watching the village come together for the wedding of the year, had me grinning, and I really enjoyed some of the surprises towards the end that I can't mention as although not major spoilers, would be a shame to spoil if you see what I mean. Actually all my favourite bits are so far into the book that I can't say too much other than this is an incredibly enjoyable book, a great addition to the series, and I am very curious as to whether we will get another Pudding Pantry book, or failing that what else this always entertaining author will have up her sleeve next. Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Am I Guilty? Author: Jackie Kabler Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Killer Reads Publication Date: 19th April 2019 Rating: 5 Stars A mother’s job is to protect her child… But everyone makes mistakes sometimes Gripping, exciting and emotional, this book will grab you from the first page and refuse to let you go until the final chapter! I never thought it would happen to me… One moment I had it all – a gorgeous husband, a beautiful home, a fulfilling career and two adorable children. The next, everything came crashing down around me. They said it was my fault. They said I’m the worst mother in the world. And even though I can’t remember what happened that day, they wouldn’t lie to me. These are my friends, my family, people I trust. But then why do I have this creeping sensation that something is wrong? Why do I feel like people are keeping secrets? Am I really as guilty as they say? And if I’m not, what will happen when the truth comes out…? Well I wasn't expecting that ending! I was so convinced part way through that I knew the gist of what had happened, and some of my guesses were correct but many other things occurred too much to my delight. I was completely gripped in this story, told from various viewpoints, about a mother's worst nightmare. There were times during this that I suspected everyone, at other times I was completely convinced that Thea was truly guilty - it was incredibly hard to know who to believe. It also can't work out how to phrase anything that I want to say about this story, in light of what I know now about how it all ends. I suspect its best if you read the blurb, and read the book for yourself. You won't be disappointed - it truly is a gripping story. I read the book in just a couple of sittings, even reading in bed when my eyes were feeling really blurry as I just wanted to read another chapter or two... but then there was another mini surprise that made me want to keep turning the pages even past my blatant need to sleep. I had read some cosy mysteries previously from Jackie Kabler, and enjoyed them, but this has really stepped up a gear and is a full blown psychological drama - it crept under my skin, and may continue to cling onto me for a while after finishing it. Definitely an author I want to read more from, and wow with that ending, I am very very curious what Jackie Kabler has in store for us all next! Many thanks to Netgalley and Killer Reads for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Clover Cottage Author: Christie Barlow Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: One More Chapter Publication Date: 20th March 2020 Rating: 5 Stars Love Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter what. When Vet Rory Scott inherits ramshackle Clover Cottage in the quaint village of Heartcross, Allie MacDonald just knows this is their happy ever after. A place to call home with the man she loves – it’s her dream come true! Until Rory drops a bombshell. He loves Allie but he has dreams of his own to follow – to live and work in Africa. Clover Cottage will have to wait just a little longer… Allie can’t imagine life without Rory, but she loves him too much to hold him back. And as he embarks on his adventure, Allie begins to rethink her own plans. She loves Rory and knows she wants him in her life, but maybe she can follow her own dreams too? And always there, nestled in the beautiful village of Heartcross, surrounded by the people she loves, will be the place that will always bring them back to each other. Their forever home, Clover Cottage. I've just spent the most wonderful couple of hours in Heartcross, back amongst my friends from Love Heart Lane, and meeting whole new ones at the same time. And what a roller coaster of a book this was, what I can definitely say is Christie Barlow really is producing her best stories and writing with this series. This was another super duper book! I was hooked from the first few pages, and although at times the conflict between Allie and Rory was getting a bit frustrating, I could see things from both their points of view, and had my everything crossed they would have a great ending. There is a story line involving Rory's mother that I sort of saw coming but didn't make it any less surprising and then there are revelations involving Rory's father's past that really did shock me. Not to mention the incredibly sexy Netflix star who rocks up in Heartcross and soon feels like part of the gang. He added a new dimension to the books, and he was in some ways a catalyst for some potentially huge changes in both Rory and Allie's lives. If you have read the other fantastic books in the series, then you will be as delighted as I am to see Felicity and Isla are Allie's best friends. Oh and there is such an adorable scene involving Mop the llama, and the dog show. I love Mop, he's so cute, and it was so amusing seeing him at the Summer fair. Clover Cottage itself is key to a lot of the story, but not quite in the way you may expect, but it certainly deserves the title role in this book. This is a warm and cosy story, if felt like I was wrapped up in a hug and I couldn't stop reading. I love this series so much it's scary, and I'm counting down the days until the next book is out! Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Lies Between Us Author: Ronnie Turner Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: HQ Digital Publication Date: 1st October 2018 Rating: 4 Stars Will they ever learn the truth? Three people, leading very different lives, are about to be brought together – with devastating consequences . . . John has a perfect life, until the day his daughter goes missing. Maisie cares for her patients, but hides her own traumatic past. Miller should be an innocent child, but is obsessed with something he can’t have. They all have something in common, though none of them know it – and the truth won’t stay hidden for long . . . A gripping psychological thriller for fans of Clare Mackintosh, Shari Lapena and Lisa Jewell. A solid debut novel from an author that I have been looking forward to reading. I had been cautious going into this, purely as I find psychological thrillers that have lies as a main thread (or important enough to the story to be in the title), normally don't agree with me, but as I had wanted to read the author, I thought I would give it a go regardless. Outside of some mild confusion referring to the lies and wondering for large parts of the book just how it all would fit together, I loved everything else. There are three distinct story threads, focusing on in two cases the nightmare their lives currently are, and the other tells the tale of a young mans past, of him being obsessed, of him putting on a good boy front, once he realised it would get him further than being his truly wicked self. And it was this thread that actually held me interest the most, as I sort of had to know two what lengths he would go to, and the incidents highlighted from throughout his childhood, paint him as a monster. Whereas in the other chapters, we have a intensive care nurse, who is bonding with her latest patient's family, a man in a vegetative state, and the wife and young child barely holding things together. Then there is the man whose family is experiencing the worst thing ever, their little girl has been taken, no one even the police can work out where or why, and slowly photos with notes referring to the mans past, arrived signed by the daughter, which ramps up the tension and despair levels. All three of the stories could easily have a a whole book devoted to just them, but instead the author weaves a tale that means you need all of these parts and that as the book progresses becomes more and more gripping to read. At the start of each chapter or section there is a time stamp and date, and it took me a while to get used to the different dates and years, as the view points alternate. This is a great starting block for this author's career and from what I have read I can only believe she will go from strength to strength, and I know I am eager to see what her next release brings. Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Somewhere Close to Happy Author: Lia Louis Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Trapeze Publication Date: 23rd January 2020 Rating: 4 Stars Lizzie James is happy. She has a steady office job (with a steady stream of snacks), has had the same best friend since school, and she sees her family every Thursday night for take-away and trashy TV. Lizzie likes her uncomplicated life. Then a letter arrives one day from her first love, Roman. A letter dated the day he disappeared, 12 years before. As Lizzie uncovers the secrets of the letter, she discovers what really happened the year her life fell apart - and all avenues lead back to Roman. Lizzie James thought she was happy, or somewhere close to happy, at least. Now she's not so sure. A very impressive debut novel, that delves into mental health and some other issues, while also being a journey of trying to rediscover yourself. It's the story of Lizzie and Roman who were incredibly close when they were teens, until Roman just disappeared out of her life 13 years ago. She has had no clue where he is, but out of the blue she recieves a letter that leads her to search for him. Within this search as readers we are treated to chapters dealing with events 13 years ago, which were very interesting, especially the time they both spent in The Grove. I found it surprisingly fast to read, and it was very hard to tear myself away from the story at times. I have a feeling that elements of this book will be staying with me for a while, which is always a sign of a good book in my eyes. Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: The School of Starting Over Author: Lisa Swift Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Hera Books Publication Date: 11th March 2020 Rating: 5 Stars Nell’s going back to school… but now she’s learning lessons of the heart Reception class teacher Nell Shackleton has a plan. At least, she had until she arrived at her new home of Humblebee Farm, a dilapidated farmhouse on the Yorkshire moors. But so what if the roof’s full of holes, the back door’s hanging off and there’s a sheep in the front room? Because sometimes a new beginning means starting at the bottom… right? Xander Scott is one of the youngest headteachers Leyholme Primary School has ever had. But managing over-zealous parents and their semi-feral kids proves a tricky task for shy Xander – as does keeping his mind on the job when his feelings for the new Reception teacher become more than strictly professional… At 43, Nell’s new friend Stevie Madeleine has given up on love. After losing her wife, Stevie’s decided that her four-year-old daughter Milly and cocker spaniel Red are the only girls she needs in her life. That is, until larger-than-life dog-walker Deb arrives on the scene. But will the secrets of Stevie’s past stop her new romance dead in its tracks? Meeting Xander and Stevie brings joy back into Nell’s life – but when old secrets start to surface, there may be some hard lessons to learn for them all… A gorgeously uplifting and hilarious romantic comedy that will delight fans of Milly Johnson, Holly Martin and Heidi Swain.. After a slow start to the book, which was needed so that you really knew the characters and their back stories properly, suddenly the book became simply amazing! Completely took me by surprise, I mean there were hints throughout that you didn't have all the information even as a reader seeing multiple characters lives, but I didn't see that coming until perhaps last last possibly minute. I'm not even sure I want to tell you what the book is about, or any details, as I know I went in blind and was richly rewarded for it. I literally picked to read this due to the fact it had school in the title (and I loved books set in schools even as a kid), and knowing that Lisa Swift also writes as Mary Jayne Baker, so knew I'd be able to trust the writing. I hadn't really acknowledged the blurb at least until after I'd started reading! There are some completely memorable characters: Ryan - as the school governor that is a thorn in poor Xander's side. I was so frustrated whenever that bully appeared, and he seemed to hate Xander. Xander being the male lead, rather unsure of himself and his new position as acting head, full of nerves, he really is very cute, unlikely but none the less lovely person. Colin the sheep who only makes a few cameos, but we meet early into the book and always made me smile. Red the border setter, along with his 4 year old Millie are an adorable pairing, Red is rather mischievous and Millie is just adorable. I loved her mum Stevie's friendships both with Nell, the new reception teacher and also a new friendship with her dog walker Deb. Stevie is so brave and inspirational, I really took to her, and enjoyed any pages she was present on. You definitely need to keep an eye out for her back story, its painful but the way it is written about, is just right, And then there is Nell, who has moved to this village, bought frankly a wreck of a farmhouse to live in and renovate and initially knows no one there. Her vision for World Book Day was spot on, and I loved how the whole school embraced it. Oh there are so many deep issues in this book, and it means all these characters are well rounded, living and breathing humans who you could possibly find in your local pub. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and delighted to see a different angle to this author's writing arsenal which is becoming rather impressive. Thank you to Hera and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: You, Me, Forever Author: Jo Watson Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Headline Eternal Publication Date: 3rd December 2019 Rating: 5 Stars It all started with faulty elevator - and a love letter... Writer Becca Thorne needs an idea - fast! She might have a huge bestseller to her name but, with the deadline for book two approaching, Becca knows she's in danger of losing the career she cares so much about. But Fate has other plans for her when she almost plummets to her death with two strangers in a faulty elevator. Although Becca emerges in one piece, her precious vintage handbag doesn't, and that's when she realises that inspiration has been with her alll along. Hidden inside the bag's now-torn lining is a set of beautiful love letters. It might not be her story, yet Becca can't seem to get the romantic words out of her head and feels compelled to discover who wrote the letters. But there's more waiting for Becca than the tale of a romance from long ago - it might be the chance to live her own love story and follow the path Fate has always intended her to... Don't miss Jo's laugh-out-loud rom-coms, Love You, Love You Not, Love to Hate You, Burning Moon, Almost A Bride, Finding You, After the Rain and The Great Ex-scape. Sitting her open mouthed in disbelief at just how wonderful this book is. It has all of Jo Watson's trademark humour, but also a secondary love story that is just beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. I loved the chatting style the story was written in, as though Becca was talking directly to you as she tells you her story. She explains that she is in trouble and about the various forks in her life that have led her to this point. We get in great detail the terrifying moment where there is a near death experience that ultimately is the catalyst for her changing her life. And from the moment she visits a small town many hours away from Jo'burg, we see just what a disaster zone she really is. At times it felt like a complete comedy of errors and the local hunky policeman is just the person to witness everything, even if he is despairing of her at the same time. I loved the interactions between Mike and Becca, but also well actually just everything about this story. I don't want to give too much away, but there is so much more to this book than first meets the eye and I relished reading every last word of it. In some respects this felt like a subtle change of direction for my favourite South African author, but equally there is so much familiarity in the absurdity of some it that that comes across so believable that it really is only a slight change, as everything I've always enjoyed about Jo Watson is still there in spades! A truly fabulous story, one that I fear may have given me a book hangover, as I've no idea how whatever I read next will even remotely stand a chance in my affections!! Thank you to Headline Eternal and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily, Please do follow along with the rest of the blog tour too.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: The Cornish Village School - Second Chances Author: Kitty Wilson Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Canelo Publication Date: 4th October 2018 Rating: 4 Stars Ex-ballerina and single mum Sylvie is in trouble. Juggling her ballet classes in the nearest town, preparing shy Sam for his first day at Penmenna Village school and trying to finally move out from the farm she shares with her cantankerous Uncle Tom means life is anything but easy. Television Journalist Alex is facing challenges of his own. Seeking a calmer environment for his newly adopted daughter, Ellie, he’s swapped reporting in war zones for the school PTA in quiet Penmenna, where his best friend Chase has persuaded him to start laying some roots. Fireworks ignite when Sylvie and Alex meet but as Ellie and Sam become instant best friends, will they be able to keep things strictly platonic for the sake of the children? It was lovely to be back in Penmarra and the Cornish Village school. If you have read the first book then the setting and teachers will be familiar to you. If you haven't, fear not, this easily reads as a standalone with two new families and main characters. I really enjoyed getting to know Sylvie and Alex, and their two kids Sam and Ellie. Sam and Ellie are the real stars of this book, and I loved their very different personalities. I also enjoyed seeing how Sylvie grew in confidence as the book progresses, as she tries to get new job and new house. Its an enjoyable sequel, and good to catch up with old friends to see how they were getting on. I hope there will be more to this series as I suspect it will get better book by book! Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: The Secret Cove in Croatia Author: Julie Caplin Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Harper Impulse Publication Date: 19th July 2019 Rating: 5 Stars Sail away to beautiful Croatia for summer sun, sparkling turquoise seas and a will-they-won’t-they romance you won’t be able to put down! When no-nonsense, down-to-earth Maddie Wilcox is offered the chance to work on a luxury yacht for the summer, she can’t say no. Yes she’ll be waiting on the posh guests… But island-hopping around the Adriatic sea will more than make up for it – especially when Nick, her best friend Nina’s brother, is one of them. Sparks fly when they meet on board and Maddie can’t believe self-entitled jerk Nick is really related to Nina. But in a secret, picture-perfect cove, away from the real world, Maddie and Nick discover they might have more in common than they realise… I've only ever spent a small amount of time in Croatia, when stopping there on cruises but I've seen enough to know how spot on Julie Caplin is with her descriptions of the country. It really is as stunning in real life as it is in this book, and if you don't fall in love with the place from this wonderful story the I'll be shocked. This may be the fifth book in the romantic escape series but it easily standalone. Maddie and Nick did feature a bit in The Little Paris Patisserie but if you haven't read it, you can still easily follow this story, as they were never main characters, nor have they met each other before boarding this luxury yacht. You really do get to see how the other half live, with just who is on board this Croatian Gulet, you have a group of rich people, plus Nick who somehow has lucked into being supermodel Tara's boyfriend. To say that Nick, a sheep farmer, and a supermodel is an unlikely match would be an understatement, and their interactions amuse and frustrate me equally. There were a good few characters I would have loved to smack, they were rich, self obsessed and treated Maddie appallingly, given she is working as crew on this trip. Nick and Maddie are both incredibly down to earth and do great banter. Of the others on the boat trip, I really liked Siri and Douglas seemed genuine too, if a bit henpecked. The encounter with the people on board a yacht had me gasping at one point and laughing a few mins later, it was fabulous, if a bit hair raising in the build up! I really did love soaking up every moment of this sun filled read. There is a clear connection between our leads but for various reasons it was never going to be as simple as it may sound. Everything to do with Croatian food and scenery was so vivid it was like you were there. Julie Caplin has yet again written a wonderful romance set to a stunning backdrop that draws you into the story and just wont let you go. I just wish I'd been on their holiday too! Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: I Made A Mistake Author: Jane Corry Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Penguin Publication Date: 22nd May 2020 Rating: 5 Stars IT STARTED WITH A KISS AND ENDED IN MURDER... The darkly addictive new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of I Looked Away, Blood Sisters and My Husband's Wife. In Poppy Page's mind, there are two types of women in this world: those who are faithful to their husbands, and those who are not. Until now, Poppy has never questioned which she was. But when handsome, charming Matthew Gordon walks back into her life after almost two decades, that changes. Poppy makes a single mistake - and that mistake will be far more dangerous than she could imagine. Someone is going to pay for it with their life . . . Woah, I don't know Jane Corry keeps coming up with these fantabulous books, but I hope it never stops. This one was brilliant, and it only took me a few chapters to become hooked. I think if this book was to have a message it's that all actions have consequences, far more reaching than you may first think. I mean Poppy knows pretty much instantly and cheating on her husband, with her first love when he reappears was in fact a mistake - but what isn't so apparent is just how huge an error of judgment that is, and the far reaching effects it can have on everyone she knows and loves. This is a very hard book to describe, as I would hate to give away any spoilers, but suffice to say it is a gripping story, told from three viewpoints - Poppy, her mother in law Betty and also snippets from a trial. Betty's story was without a doubt a highlight for me, from her time as a young girl, throughout her marriage and right up to the present day, what she had to go through, and put up with for the sake of family, is heart wrenching, but at the same time as she herself says, it was just the way things were in those days. Equally though I did really enjoy Poppy's story, I felt for her at times, at others wanted to know why she was making such bad decisions, while understanding her too. There is a whole lot of depth to this book and it was a pleasure to read each and every word, and to see just how things unfolded. You know from the prologue and blurb that someone dies, but just who, and why - well it's compulsive reading to find out. Thank you to Penguin and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,

Book 22 of 28 read on my holiday to Cyprus in June 2018. The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: The Single Mums' Picnic Club Author: Jennifer Joyce Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: HQ Digital Publication Date: 8th June 2018 Rating: 5 Stars Katie thought she had the perfect family life by the sea – until her husband left her for another woman, abandoning her and their two children! She knows it’s finally time to move on but she’s unsure where to begin… Frankie is shocked when gorgeous dog-walker Alex asks her on a date! As a single mum with her own business she struggles to put herself first, but maybe she’s ready to follow her heart? George is used to raising her son on her own – but now he’s at nursery, her life feels empty. So when she meets Katie and Frankie at the beach, she realises that her talent for rustling up delicious picnics could be the perfect distraction! But of course, life isn’t always a beach and as secrets begin to surface the three women’s lives are about to be turned upside-down… I can certainly see why this is being advertised as an uplifting summer read - it really is feel good fiction, with new friends, new romances, good food and picnics! Told from three alternating focal points, we really get to know George, Katie and Frankie and their assorted children. They meet one cold day on the beach and all being single parents that are newish to Clifton on Sea they bonded and started to have weekly picnics. Their children are all different ages and each of them is single for a different reason, and they are all positive they don't have the time nor energy for romance! One of the comedic stars of this book has to be Jake, a loveable dog that keeps getting himself into scrapes and kept making me laugh and smile. We also learn about the ladies families, and some of their pasts are far more serious in tone, understandably.,and gives a good rounded idea of who they are. I loved the picnics, and the various theme ideas and assorted food on offer. George is one cooking dynamo. All three mums are wonderful women and I really enjoyed getting to know them, and escaping into their lives for a few hours. The Single Mums' Picnic Club is a great holiday read for the summer or at any time. It is a joy to have read it. Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Foxglove Farm Author: Christie Barlow Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Harper Impulse Publication Date: 28th June 2019 Rating: 5 Stars Return to Love Heart Lane for friendship, romance and a community who will be be there for you no matter what… Isla and Drew Allaway appear to have the perfect life – a strong marriage, two beautiful children and their picture-perfect home, Foxglove Farm. But, new mum Isla is struggling. She loves her little family but with Drew working all hours on the farm, Isla’s lonely. When she discovers that Drew has been keeping secrets from her, Isla has to face losing the home they all love. Can the Love Heart Lane community pull together once more to help save Foxglove Farm? And can Isla save her home…and her marriage? I didn't think anything was going to be able top Love Heart Lane in my Christie Barlow greatest hits list.. but it feels like Foxglove Farm has done exactly that. It was wonderful being back in Heartcross amongst familiar faces, and although Felicity and Fergus are present, this time the focus of the book is on Felicity's best friend Isla and Drew. They live on Foxglove Farm and based on the arguments we are greeted with, things aren't going too well. However it takes a while for the reader and Isla to get to the root of Drew's bad mood with her, and all manner of circumstances and drama leads up to that point. This can easily be read as a standalone book although that would be depriving yourself of another fabulous book, From the first few pages I was utterly hooked, and given the majority of this book I read on tube journeys, the fact I managed to get off at the right stops is a mystery to me, as I have no recollection of even moving, I was that engrossed in the story. If you are looking for a book that features a lot of drama, a heartwarming and cosy feeling to it, with some big issues touched upon, all with fabulous writing, great location, small town community feeling and some humour, then without a doubt, give this book a try. This is a community of characters that has completely got under my skin and I'm already looking forward to Clover Cottage. What I especially loved about this book was that it was about a married couple who needed to start trusting in each other more, and to not have secrets, rather than a brand new romance. It just added a fresh vibe to the story. I'm not sure I can really explain just how much enjoyment and pleasure this book brought to me. I will admit I had suspicions about one character that proved completely correct, but even guessing part of one bit of plot couldn't detract from the sheer joy of reading more about Heartcross. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Amazon UK Title: Coming Up Roses Author: Rachael Lucas Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Pan Macmillan Publication Date: 21st May 2015 Rating: 4 Stars Would-be gardener Daisy can't believe her luck when her parents announce they're off on a midlife crisis gap year, leaving her in charge of their gorgeous garden. After a turbulent few months, a spot of quiet in the countryside is just what she needs. A shoulder to cry on wouldn't go amiss either - so when Daisy comes across Elaine and Jo, she breathes a sigh of relief. But her new friends are dealing with dramas of their own... As Daisy wrestles the garden into something resembling order, her feelings for handsome Irishman George begin to take root. Daisy's heart's desire − her parent's garden − is under threat, and Daisy's forced to confront nosey neighbours and fight greedy developers. Village life is turning out to be far from peaceful. Daisy's parents announce that they are travelling around Asia, when she turns up un-announced on their doorstep, following a bad break up. They allow Daisy to house sit while they are gone, and to look after the neglected garden that used to be beautiful. As Daisy is nursing a broken heart, she really doesn't want to make friends, or get into village life in Steeple St John, but yet it all creeps up on her. Daisy meets Elaine, after soaking her with a hose, while she was passing by. Elaine is a blogger that exhibits everything to do with a perfect life, with home made food, and everything looking spic and span. Elaine offers Daisy an invite to a get together at her house which Daisy goes along to reluctantly. During the get-together she meets Jo. Jo is a single mother to Martha who is 14, and is the school counsellor, where Elaine's husband Leo works. Before long Elaine, Daisy and Jo become firm friends. Daisy also becomes friends with Thomas, an old man, who used to do the gardens not only at Orchard Villa, but also all over the village. I loved the friendship between Thomas and Daisy, as well as seeing all of Daisy's hard work in the garden. There is of course a potential love interest in George, the dashing Irishman, who has a few surprises up his sleeve. Coming Up Roses was an enjoyable story of village life, friendship and healing your heart. There are plenty of entertaining moments, and the differing personalities of the three girls makes for a rounded friendship group. Elaine and Jo are both hiding secrets, which are interesting to discover, and see how they are resolved. The interactions between Daisy and her parents (on the phone) and not completely typical parent/daughter. Her parents even from abroad manage to throw Daisy a bombshell, that could completely destroy all the progress she has been making with her heart and garden. I really hope this won't be the last book set in Steeple St John, as its a lovely village and I think there are at least a few more characters books could be set around! Thank you to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for a copy of this book. This is my honest review. Thank you to Rachael Lucas and Lucie for allowing me to be part of the Coming Up Roses blog tour.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Stuck On You Author: Portia MacIntosh Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Boldwood Books Publication Date: 17th September 2020 Rating: 5 Stars Could a post-it note really lead to love...? Sadie doesn't have time for finding love. She's too busy as PA for famous artist Damian Banks. When she's not arranging exhibitions, she's organising his dry cleaning or dumping his never ending stream of girlfriends. But when she strikes up an unusual friendship with her desk share buddy, she finds a confidante and a new potential love interest. Problem is, they've never actually met... With Christmas just around the corner, can Sadie put herself first for a change and find what she's been looking for all along?The brand new romantic comedy from top 10 bestseller Portia MacIntosh. Perfect for fans of Sophie Ranald, Mhairi McFarlane and Zara Stoneley. Oh I do love a Portia MacIntosh Book and this was certainly no exception. I loved the post it note messages between Sadie and Adam, the man she shares a desk with, especially as they both seem to struggle with their demon boss Damian! And Damian initially is a complete and utter nightmare, and I don't blame Sadie in the slightest for wanting to get a new job. However things change and from the middle of the book onwards you see a different side to some of the characters, a real friendship start to develop and you also get a family Christmas with a family and community that absolutely adore the holiday and have various festive themed plans for the whole week in the lead up to the main day. Including Dickens Day which if you are a fan of Dickens would be just wonderful, also a smaller version of Winter Wonderland, a competition to post Christmas cards, a trip to the cinema in pjamas and all manner of other festivities. And as a huge fan of Christmas this really made the book for me, and I was starting to feel quite festive, to the extent that I didn't even blink when I ended up watching the new Grinch film on TV in August!! I loved the character development in this story and just the whole vibe I got from the book. I was hooked really early on and it was painful tearing myself away from a fabulous story, just to do real life things like work! It was a joy to read Stuck On You, another top rom-com from this author. Thank you to Boldwood and Netgalley for this copy which i have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: The Perfect Couple Author: Jackie Kabler Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: One More Chapter Publication Date: 25th June 2020 Rating: 5 Stars The perfect couple…or the perfect lie? A year and a half ago, Gemma met the love of her life, Danny. Since then, their relationship has been like something out of a dream. But one Friday evening, Gemma returns home to find Danny is nowhere to be seen. After two days with no word from her husband, Gemma turns to the police. She is horrified by what she discovers – a serial killer is on the loose in Bristol. When she sees the photos of the victims she is even more stunned…they all look just like Danny. But, the police aren’t convinced by Gemma’s story. Why has no one apart from Gemma seen or heard from Danny in weeks? Why is there barely a trace of him in their flat? Is she telling them the truth, or are there more secrets and lies in this marriage than meets the eye? Jackie Kabler is going from strength to strength with each book she writes. This is a story that kept throwing in mini OMG hooks to keep you turning the pages, and has me second guessing everything. In fact the book is written from two perspectives, Gemma who is reporting her husband missing, and the police, who are already looking into two murders of men that look quite similar, and have no idea what to think when it turns out Gemma's husband also looks like the two victims. As I was reading each point of view in alternating chapters, my thoughts as to what exactly was going on flip flopped continually. Such was how convinced I was by both viewpoints that I couldn't really work out which may be accurate. Much less just how the murderer was or where the missing husband may be or why. The Perfect Couple screwed with my head, in a way that had me reading on, unable to put the book down, as I needed to know the truth! Very addictive and compelling read. Thank you to One More Chapter on Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Love Songs For Sceptics Author: Christina Pishiris Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Simon & Schuster Publication Date: 28th November 2019 Rating: 4 Stars My brother’s getting married in a few weeks and asked for help picking a song for his first dance. I suggested Kiss’s ‘Love’s a Slap in the Face’. It didn’t go down well. When she was a teenager, Zoë Frixos fell in love with Simon Baxter, her best friend and the boy next door. But his family moved to America before she could tell him how she felt and, like a scratched record, she’s never quite moved on. Now, almost twenty years later, Simon is heading back to London, newly single and as charming as ever . . . But as obstacles continue to get in her way – Simon’s perfect ex-girlfriend, her brother’s big(ish) fat(ish) Greek wedding, and an obnoxious publicist determined to ruin her career – Zoë begins to wonder whether, after all these years, she and Simon just aren’t meant to be. What if, despite what all the songs and movies say, your first love isn't always all it's cracked up to be? What if, instead Zoë and Simon are forever destined to shuffle around their feelings for each other, never quite getting the steps right . . . With a smart, relatable central character and razor-sharp wit, Love Songs for Sceptics is perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Lucy Vine and Lindsey Kelk. Full of humour, loads of music references, two utterly gorgeous guys, and all manner of diva rock stars, this is one hell of a story. There is plenty going on at all times, various sub plots, and for me the biggest storylines are will Zoe get the interview with the reclusive star she idolises that will save the magazine she is the editor of. And will Zoe decide that Simon or Nick is the actual love of her life - they both have their good points! I loved that Zoe was Greek, her brother is getting married and there are references all over the place to My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I enjoyed Zoe getting to know her sister in-law better, and also the other key women of the wedding party, for a few really fun gatherings. Who knew ukuleles could be so much fun, or easy to play. Zoe and Simon have known each other for ages, they are even both official members of the same fan club. I loved that element to the story, it kept cropping up and making me smile! There is a whole host of emotions experienced as you read this story, and there are few tougher issues touched on, delicately. A really enjoyable and impressive debut novel. Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Kate and Clara's Curious Cornish Craft Shop Author: Ali McNamara Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Sphere Publication Date: 23rd July 2020 Rating: 5 Stars Welcome to the glorious little Cornish town of St Felix - where romance and magic sparkle in the summer air Kate thinks all her wishes have come true when she opens her own little craft shop in the idyllic harbour town of St Felix. But she soon finds a mystery lingers in her new shop - a sixty-year-old love story told through beautiful paintings and intricate embroideries. Jack, the owner of the nearby art shop, volunteers to help Kate unravel the mystery, but in doing so they realise their own lives share some uncanny similarities with Clara and Arty, their 1950s counterparts . . . Can Kate and Jack put right a decades-old wrong, and maybe find their own happy ending on the way? Whenever you are in St. Felix in an Ali McNamara novel, you know to expect the unexplainable! There is something about this Cornish town that provides a dash of the unusual and a sprinkling of what can only be described as magic. So I was greatly impressed and intrigued as to what would be present in this story, and well I'm not going to say, but it is such an original idea, a really clever mechanism and really did add another dimension to this story. As a massive fan of this author I was delighted to see a return to a familiar location and the previous heroines Poppy and Ana, are present in this book, not in a big way, but just enough to know what is going on with them. As a result this is easily a standalone book and if I hadn't just mentioned the setting and characters, then you probably wouldn't even realise while reading it! There are two main stories being told, Kate, Jack and Julian's in the present day, and also Clara, Arty and Maggie's in the late 1950s. I loved seeing the parallels between the two and discovering just how they interconnected was a joy. It is also a very nice change to have a hero and romantic lead in a wheelchair, you just don't see that anywhere near enough in the sorts of books I tend to read, and I loved Jack and his attitude to his disabilty so much. And it was eye opening as to how various people treated Jack. I loved Kate's shop, her two colleagues who only have her best interests at heart and keep teasing her whenever she is meeting a man, even just as friends, and her teenage daughter who was one of those rare not overly stroppy sorts of teenager! This was such a pleasure to read, from a truly magical author. I adored being back in St. Felix and Ali McNamara is one of only a few authors that can make me believe in the impossible and think it is all perfectly feasible! Thank you to Sphere and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: I Owe You One Author: Sophie Kinsella Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Black Swan Publication Date: 27th June 2019 Rating: 3.5 Stars The irresistible new standalone from Sophie Kinsella is a story of love, empowerment and an IOU that changes everything . . . Fixie Farr can’t help herself. Straightening a crooked object, removing a barely-there stain, helping out a friend . . . she just has to put things right. It’s how she got her nickname, after all. So when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, Fixie not only agrees, she ends up saving it from certain disaster. To thank her, the computer’s owner, Sebastian, scribbles her an IOU – but of course Fixie never intends to call in the favour. That is, until her teenage crush, Ryan, comes back into her life and needs her help – and Fixie turns to Seb. But things don’t go according to plan, and now Fixie owes Seb: big time. Soon the pair are caught up in a series of IOUs – from small favours to life-changing debts – and Fixie is torn between the past she’s used to and the future she deserves. Does she have the courage to fix things for herself and fight for the life, and love, she really wants? One random act of kindness, leads to a stranger giving Fixie an IOU, and starts a chain of events that you may not have predicted from the outset. Fixie so named as she likes fixing everything is lovely, passionate about the family business, loyal to her family but honestly comes across as a doormat. She drove me mad half the time, as she wouldn't stand up to her siblings. And the least said about her long term love and crush, the better. He was utterly despicable. I'm really not sure if I liked most of the characters. In fact my favourite character is one that doesn't talk back -its the family shop Farrs. We get enough description, plus of the vibe of the place and what it sells, that it feels like a character in its own right. I suspect had I read this any other week I would have loved it more, but given how exhausted I am, I have to say that reading this felt a bit like hard work. It didn't really draw me back into it, which is odd as I normally love a Sophie Kinsella book. It's not a bad book in the slightest, and I did enjoy most of it, but its also not the best or funniest of Sophie Kinsella's standalone books. There are moments of humour and the further I got into the book, the more I was enjoying it, especially once I started to see the evidence of character development as they became more rounded people. Filled with characters you love to hate, a lovely small business, a complete mix of personalities in one story and a series of favours and good deeds done, thanks to one IOU note, this is a good story, which frustratingly felt a bit short for me. Thank you to Netgalley and Black Swan for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Just Another Silly Love Song Author: Rich Amooi Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Author supplied copy Publisher: Self published Publication Date: 19th April 2020 Rating: 5 Stars Two rival radio personalities. Lori Martin is a positive and upbeat DJ, known for playing love songs and dedications. Ben Baxter dishes out no-nonsense, in-your-face relationship advice. Total opposites. Never in a million years would they want to work together. Fired for losing her cool after her boyfriend breaks up with her on the air, Lori surprisingly receives a job offer for the coveted morning show at the radio station across town where Ben works. She thinks she’s replacing him, but finds out they want to team up Lori with her archenemy to set the air waves on fire and boost ratings. Financially strapped, she can’t turn down the job. While their on-air fireworks and explosive chemistry make for great listening, what in the world will happen after work hours? The new feel-good romantic comedy everyone is talking about! I couldn't stop smiling, smirking and giggling the whole way through this book. If you are already a Rich Amooi fan, what are you doing here, this is him at his best, just buy and read it already. On the other hand if you have never read the author before, well here are some more thoughts.... The chemistry and banter between Ben and Lori is off the charts for two people who are doing their best to hate and antagonise each other. The dialogue is fabulous and what catapults this book into the ideal way to forget your troubles for a bit and just lose yourself in Lori and Ben's story. Written from both Male and Female perspectives it is scary how believable both characters come across. It is making me think Rich Amooi may now be my top male rom-com author amidst some stiff competition. If you want to spend an incredibly amusing few hours with a couple who are bound to make you smile, some utterly ridiculous relationship problems for their call in show, some feisty octogenarians and a whole lot more besides, then this is definitely worth a read. Thank you to Rich Amooi for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Escape to the Little French Cafe Author: Karen Clarke Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Bookouture Publication Date: 18th March 2019 Rating: 5 Stars On the beautiful French coast lies the Café Belle Vie, a peaceful haven offering a warm welcome and delicious pains au chocolat – and where Natalie’s quiet life is about to be turned upside down… When thirty-one-year-old Natalie Bright’s boyfriend dumps her and immediately gets engaged to his ex-girlfriend, she escapes her heartbreak and moves to the charming village of Chamillon on the Île de Ré. She’s determined to build a new life there: writing about farmer’s markets for a local magazine, exploring the local vineyards on her bike, and taking advantage of the sunshine. And in the Café Belle Vie she finds a bustling community – including new best friend Charlie – and a near-constant supply of cakes. All in all, things are looking pretty good. So when a blast from the past – her teenage crush Jay Merino – suddenly turns up in Chamillon, Natalie’s thrown. She’s sworn off men ever since she moved to France, but she and Jay have a connection that stretches back years. But could taking a chance on an old flame complete her new life – or ruin everything she’s worked so hard for? Karen Clarke has done it again, with another enchanting read that I couldn't' bare to be apart from for long. I was loving my time on the Île de Ré, and am delighted to learn this is the first book of a series, so can't wait already to start reading the next one. Charming is another good word for this story, it is so warm, and cosy with lovely characters and a bit of scandal too, with a hint of mystery. I loved getting to know Natalie, best friend Charlie, her family and the man she is hopeful of interviewing in order to get a big career break. There are some incredibly funny scenes in this, including where Natalie comes face to face with Jay, for the first time in many years. What a way to become instantly memorably in someone's eyes. There are ambitious women, parental dating episodes, a gorgeous hero, a fabulous best friend, misunderstandings, and just a fabulous feel to the whole book, set in glorious sunshine. I loved every moment I spent with these characters and this story. Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Amazon UK Title: Love, Lies and Wedding Cake Author: Sue Watson Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Bookoutre Publication Date: 23rd May 2018 Rating: 5 Stars An absolutely hilarious, laugh-‘til-you-cry, romantic comedy about how life never quite goes to plan…
 Faye is in crisis. You wouldn’t know it, because of the big fat smile on her face, but inside, she’s one step away from nuclear meltdown. And she shouldn’t be. Dan is the man of her dreams. And he’s just asked her to marry him. But Faye’s been down the marriage road before and it ended up with her having Ryan Gosling fantasies while her ex-husband obsessed about the plumbing. Faye and Dan, on the other hand, have been living their lives to the fullest, travelling around the world, having sex under the stars... They've never argued about unrolling socks before putting them in the laundry. Besides, even if she wanted to say yes, how could she move to the other side of the world? Because marrying Dan would mean living in Australia. Beautiful, warm and a gazillion miles from Faye’s daughter, Emma, a single mum with her own crazy little girl who both need Faye every single day. Leaving them – even for someone who makes her as happy as Dan – simply isn’t an option. Dan is offering Faye everything she ever wanted. So why does she feel like she’s about to lose it all? Hilarious, delicious, inspiring are just three of the words I want to use to describe Love, Lies and Wedding Cake which is utterly brilliant! It is the long awaited sequel to Love, Lies and Lemon Cake and despite it being a few years between reading them, I realised I remembered the basics, and especially Faye and Dan, within a few pages, which to me is the sign of an author writing memorable characters. This could be read as a standalone, but honestly why deprive yourself of the joy of reading two fabulous books?! Full of tantalising food descriptions and gorgeous travel scenery where I felt like I was part of the action, what this really is, is the story of two people trying to work out if they can live their dreams, do what is needed of them as responsible adults and still be in each others lives. The directions that Faye and Dan go in this book will surprise you if you had read the first book and know just how in love and perfect they seem for each other, but equally I loved seeing them both grow as people. I also loved the way that I have suddenly twigged how some of Sue Watson's book have a small connection, and I always enjoy seeing links between an authors work, like a special nod to her fans, and the character in question is rather memorable from the books set in Appledore. And then there is Rosie, Faye's grand daughter, who is adorable, but is 3 going on 30, with a turn of phrase best suited to the adults she is mimicking. She picks up on any bad language and it seems like her favourite word is "bruddy". Every single scene she was in had me smiling. Oh and Faye's best friend Mandy is also a hilarious tonic, she works in a beauty spa, happens to love men, and well during Vajazzle week was wearing a t-shirt that even confused poor Rosie, as she recognised a front bottom on it!! There is no doubt in my mind that this a perfect summer read, take it with you to the poolside or beach, and ignore the odd stares as you laugh out loud and maybe shed a few tears too! Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Book 27 of 30 that I read on my holiday to Fuerteventura in December 2017 Title: Summer at Willow Tree Farm Author: Heidi Rice Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: HQ Publication Date: 20th July 2017 Rating: 5 Stars Is home always where the heart is? When Ellie spent a summer with her mum on a Wiltshire commune in the 90s it was a bigger disaster than Leo DiCaprio’s trip aboard the Titanic – so fleeing to America seemed a perfect plan. But now, with her marriage falling apart, running back to her mum seems like the only option for her and her son Josh. She wasn’t expecting Art, the boy she once had a crush on to still be working at Willow Tree Farm…And still be as hot and bothersome as he was when they were teenagers. Ellie came to Willow Tree Farm for a fresh start. But is she ready to risk sailing her life – and her heart – into another iceberg? I absolutely loved Willow Tree Farm, and the main male lead of Art is brooding and sexy and a real challenge of a man! Ellie on the other hand is wondering just why she came back to the scene of her worst ever summer holiday, although the fact she is in need of her mum despite their fractured relationship speaks volumes. I loved the growing friendship between Toto and Josh the two teenageers who gain a lot from each other. The community of people at the farm were a joy to get to know, a mixed selection of friendly characters, that really helped Ellie a lot, and I loved seeing what they were trying to achieve at the farm. This was a entertaining romance to read, with clearly sizzling chemistry between the leads, and a good underlying set of storylines too. I also really enjoyed spotting that all the titles for the for parts were Take That song titles. The fan in me was jumping for joy! This isn't the first book Ihave read by Heidi Rice, but it is is the most enjoyable so far. I am eager to see what she writes next, and would love to see a return to Willow Tree Farm in the future. Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Suddenly Single Author: Carol Wyer Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Canelo Escape Publication Date: 8th April 2019 Rating: 4.5 Stars When bestselling romance author Chloe Piper’s marriage implodes a week before Christmas, she flees her cheating ex and the village gossips for the solitude of the newly built Sunny Meadow Farm and the company of her hapless dog, Ronnie. But Chloe is soon pushed out of her comfort zone. Because with a lively development building crew – headed up by charming Alex – and a larger-than-life neighbour determined to make Chloe’s love life her pet project, Chloe finds herself in a whole new world of chaos… This enthralling romantic comedy of self-discovery and new beginnings is perfect for fans of Kirsty Greenwood, Colleen Coleman and Marian Keyes. It took me a while to gel with this book, possibly in part due to exhaustion having just come back from a holiday, and partly as I think it took me a while to really understand Chloe. But wow once I had that empathy, and could see just what she is living with, and discovered how much I detested her almost ex-husband, while loving the new key people in her life, and I started to really love this book. To me what really made this book incredibly enjoyable is the various singletons events that Chloe's neighbour Eleanor insisted Chloe to go to. The sheer variety of events, regularity of them and in case hilarity of what was being described was brilliant. If this club existed in real life near me I would potentially be tempted to joint, as who wouldn't want to do giant sumo wrestling, duck herding and tasks from taskmaster, to name just a few! There is a deeper side to this too, as this book focuses heavily on social anxiety, which Carol Wyer has clearly researched a lot. I might be on the quiet / shy side in large groups but it's nothing compared a proper condition, in which Chloe let's us in regularly into the various things that could happen in uncomfortable situations. Chloe hasn't had the easiest of lives but since moving to Sunny Meadow Farm, and meeting these new people her life is changing bit by bit and its so heartwarming to see. Oh and Ronnie the Dog is adorable, and then there is the sorts of books that Chloe writes, I loved reading those sections too. A thoroughly entertaining book from an author that I love. Thank you to Canelo and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: While I Was Sleeping Author: Dani Atkins Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Simon & Schuster Publication Date: 23rd August 2018 Rating: 5 Stars What if someone else was living your happy ever after? When Maddie wakes up in a hospital bed, she can't remember anything about what happened to her or what has changed. She just remembers she was about to be married and had everything to look forward to. But it seems life has become a lot more complicated while she has been asleep ... Wow what an immensely powerful story that was. It has taken me on a complete roller coaster of emotions while being completely unable to put it down. It is another masterpiece of writing from the supremely talented Dani Atkins. I wouldn't know where to begin with trying to explain this story. Rest assured it is amazing. The two main women in it Maddie and Chloe are truly incredible. They both have a tremendous strength of character when faced with the most impossible of circumstances. On more than once occasion tears threatened to fall which would have been awkward as I was on a plane at the time. What a fabulous way to kick off my holiday with this book. I just hope the rest that I will read are even half as good. Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: The Bridal Party Author: J G Murray Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Corvus Publication Date: 7th March 2019 Rating: 5 Stars Sometimes friendship can be murder... It's the weekend of Clarisse's bridal party, a trip the girls have all been looking forward to. Then, on the day of their flight, Tamsyn, the maid of honour, suddenly backs out. Upset and confused, they try to make the most of the stunning, isolated seaside house they find themselves in. But, there is a surprise in store - Tamsyn has organised a murder mystery, a sinister game in which they must discover a killer in their midst. As tensions quickly boil over, it becomes clear to them all that there are some secrets that won't stay buried... What a book! I had no idea what to expect and had no idea how to guess at the outcomes either. I read this on holiday in about 2 hours, I just couldn't put it down and found the pages were turning really fast. I was utterly hooked on this story, that starts off as a group going on a hen weekend, and once they arrive at their destination, events become creepier and creepier. Interspersed with the present day story we get to know about a specific set of occurrences from that past, that become very relevant. I can't really say much about the plot, I went into this blindly and I think that may be the best way. This is the first book I have read by this author and based on this evidence it certainly won't be my last either. Fast paced, the whole book takes place over one day, there were many times where I paused, looked up and mouthed WTF... as I couldn't believe what I was reading, while hurriedly going back to see just what did happen next. Unputdownable, gripping, addictive reading, this is one fantastic book. Thank you to Corvus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

After deciding to set my latest book in a seaside bed and breakfast, I had to think about what would make the best meeting place for Mae, Willow and Melody. Here a few points I made about the top qualities I’d like in a B&B: Make It Personal For me, a bed and breakfast is more personal than a hotel. It should be cosier than a bland, uniform hotel room, the service should be more bespoke and friendly. I’m not saying hotel staff aren’t – and shouldn’t be – friendly, but it’s unlikely the receptionist is going to be cooking your breakfast if you’re staying in a big hotel. There’s less of a barrier between B&B owner and guest, I guess. No Kim & Aggie Required It goes without saying that the B&B should be clean (as should a hotel) but I’m not about to go on the hunt for little curly hairs under the mattress protector like the contestants on Four In A Bed often do. It’s an entertaining program, but it can get ridiculous at times! If you have to put your back out looking for a cobweb, you’ve probably gone too far. As long as there is clean bedding, the bathroom has had a good scrub, a hoover has had a run around the carpets and there are no obvious stains or cobwebs, you’re on the right track. The Little Touches While researching bed and breakfasts (read: watching back-to-back episodes of Four In A Bed and To B&B The Best), I came across the idea of leaving little welcome baskets for guests. I thought this was such a nice touch and the kind of attention to detail I was looking for. We’re not talking expensive hampers here, just a little basket of mini toiletries and a few treats, such as chocolates or biscuits. A Friendly Host This is so important when you’re staying in a bed and breakfast. Staying in such close proximity, you don’t have the same anonymity you would within a hotel, so you need a host who you feel comfortable around. Perhaps you will be sharing a communal space with this person from time to time, and they may be the person who deals with your breakfast requests in the morning. But you also need someone who knows when to take a step back, who knows the line between making sure you’re settled and fussing. You want to feel relaxed during your stay and while knowing you can ask for more towels if you need them is fantastic, feeling as though you have an extra participant on your trip isn’t quite so great. Books I’d love any B&B where there was a bookshelf where I could pick up a book I don’t have on my towering TBR pile and work my way through while on my trip (I will have taken several books of my own, obviously, but a bookworm can never have access to too many books). This isn’t strictly necessary, but it would put a smile on my face! So those are the qualities I think are important – I’d love to know about yours too! Thank you so much Jennifer I love your thoughts on B&Bs and look forward to seeing how The Little Bed and Breakfast by the Sea shapes up! About the author Jennifer Joyce is a writer of romantic comedies who lives in Manchester with her husband and their two daughters. Her latest novel, The Little Bed & Breakfast by the Sea is out now. You can find out more about Jennifer and her books on: Facebook: www.facebook.com/jenniferjoycewrites Twitter: www.twitter.com/writer_jenn Instagram: www.instagram.com/writer_jenn Blog: www.jenniferjoycewrites.co.uk Escape to the seaside this summer! Mae loves running her little Bed & Breakfast, it’s the perfect place to raise her adorable four-year-old daughter! And no matter how persistently local vet, Alfie, chases her, she just doesn’t have time for men in her life. Willow is busy building her dream home with her husband, Ethan, but with every month that passes she secretly worries that her happy ever after will never come true… Melody only intended to stay in the bustling seaside town for a few days to capture the perfect photo. But when she meets Hugo – the charming man in the ice cream van – she decides to stay a little longer! One thing is for sure, summer at the little Bed & Breakfast by the sea certainly has a few surprises in store…

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Never Be Broken Author: Sarah Hilary Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Headline Publication Date: 16th May 2019 Rating: 4 Stars Children are dying on London's streets. Frankie Reece, stabbed through the heart, outside a corner shop. Others recruited from care homes, picked up and exploited; passed like gifts between gangs. They are London's lost. Then Raphaela Belsham is killed. She's thirteen years old, her father is a man of influence, from a smart part of town. And she's white. Suddenly, the establishment is taking notice. DS Noah Jake is determined to handle Raphaela's case and Frankie's too. But he's facing his own turmoil, and it's becoming an obsession. DI Marnie Rome is worried, and she needs Noah on side. Because more children are disappearing, more are being killed by the day and the swelling tide of violence needs to be stemmed before it's too late. NEVER BE BROKEN is a stunning, intelligent and gripping novel which explores how the act of witness alters us, and reveals what lies beneath the veneer of a glittering city. Kicking off with a prologue that will instantly draw fans of the series straight into the pages, and make you wonder just what Sarah Hilary has come up with for us this time, , with such a clever opening that had me worried. In fact I was worried about DS Noah Jake throughout the book, as he is not handling the events at the end of the previous one that well, although its hardly surprising. I would say that this book can't be read as a standalone, and that if you are new to the series to pick it up from Book 5 at the very least, just so that this, book 6, will make that much more sense. The story lines that have been running through the series are incredibly apparent in this instalment. but we also have fresh crimes to turn our attention to. This is where I struggled slightly initially as there were a bunch of names that kept cropping up, for deaths that we didn't fully learn about but seemed relevant somehow. And then there are two deaths within 24 hours, seemingly at first unconnected, but as crime readers know its very rare for their not to be a connection, the question was what and how. And that is what stumped me and kept me reading, while I learnt along with the police just what was happening. Because the Marnie / Noah dynamic was different in this book, I felt less connected, as it was so hard seeing Noah like he was, yet there was still evidence at how great a policeman he his. This is another solid book in the series, I just didn't feel it was the best, but still very enjoyable and had me wanting to continue reading even when real life intervened. Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. Please follow along with all the other wonderful bloggers on this tour

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: The House We Called Home Author: Jenny Oliver Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: HQ Publication Date: 28th June 2018 Rating: 4 Stars The house where Stella and her sister Amy grew up never changes – the red front door, the breath-taking view over the Cornish coast, her parents in their usual spots on the sofa. Except this summer, things feel a little different… Stella’s father is nowhere to be seen, yet her mother – in suspiciously new Per Una jeans – seems curiously unfazed by his absence, and more eager to talk about her mysterious dog-walking buddy Mitch. Stella’s sister Amy has returned home with a new boyfriend she can barely stand and a secret to hide, and Stella’s husband Jack has something he wants to get off his chest too. Even Frank Sinatra, the dog, has a guilty air about him. This summer, change is in the air for the Whitethorns… A man walks out, he goes missing and yet none of his family seem that bothered, he left a note so it was definitely voluntary. His wife doesn't seem to bothered, his children are a bit more worried, but even so there is a lack of urgency about finding him, even though no one has heard from him at all. This is the story of the Whitethorn's family who I feel are a lot better for Graham walking away than they had been before. As the book progresses we see all sorts of secrets come out, huge amounts of character development, especially for Stella and Amy, We also discover just what sort of a man Graham is, as well as discovering every last thing about this family. They are complex, they are real, you probably know people like some of them. It is a very good story about how a family reacts when something unexpected happens. When I was able to read for a while uninterrupted I was utterly gripped, and was eager to see what happened, but yet the book wasn't calling me back to it when I wasn't reading. Which is a shame, but could just be me, as I can't really fault anything about the story itself. A really enjoyable story and I feel awful that I left it languishing on my kindle unread for as long as I did, given how much I tend to enjoy this author. Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Book 21 of 28 read on my holiday to Cyprus in June 2018. The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Absent In The Spring Author: Carrie Elks Format reviewed: Paperback Source: Publisher supplied copy Publisher: Piatkus Publication Date: 26th April 2018 Rating: 4 Stars Losing control never felt so good . . . A successful lawyer, and the eldest of four sisters, Lucy Shakespeare is used to being in control of everything and everyone around her, most particularly herself - until she meets the gorgeous Lachlan MacLeish. Lachlan's hired Lucy because he needs the best. His inheritance is suddenly in doubt, thanks to his devious half-brother and there's no way he's going down without a fight. The very last thing he wants is a distraction, but as soon as he sees Lucy, he knows he's in trouble. Despite their efforts to resist, it isn't long before Lachlan has Lucy longing to break all her careful rules. As they travel from Scotland, to Paris and on to New York, Lucy can't help but wonder: is it sometimes worth risking it all? I do love this series of books about The Shakespeare sisters, and really enjoyed getting to see Lucy, the eldest sister's story this time around. I did though find it a tricky to get into but that could have just been my concentration level instead of the book itself, as once I was onboard and had met Lachlan, I was far more invested in the story. There is sizzling chemistry between Lucy and Lachlan, even if they really shouldn't be getting together due to being client and customer. It was good catching up with Lucy's family too, and getting updates as to what they are all up to. I found this to be really enjoyable and another good book in the series, but I think perhaps due to their professions, that I have preferred the first two in the series. I am looking forward to the next installment already. Thank you to Clara Diaz at Piatkus for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. ​

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: The Oddest Little Chocolate Shop Author: Beth Good Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Author supplied copy Publisher: Quercus Publication Date: 1st August 2018 Rating: 5 Stars Treat yourself to something delicious . . . 'I love Beth Good's quirky style!' - bestselling author Katie Fforde When Clementine discovers that Monsieur Ravel's beloved chocolaterie is about to close, she rushes to rescue it - without thinking through the consequences. A lost Persian cat, a depressed but utterly gorgeous French chocolatier, an allergic shop assistant in search of true love, the oddest little chocolate shop Clementine has ever seen . . . Can Clementine save them all, or has she bitten off more than she can chew? A delicious, feel-good novella set in the world of chocolate-making from popular romantic comedy writer Beth Good. Have I mentioned recently how much I love Beth Good's Oddest Little books - I have read a variety of them now and they never fail to bring a smile to my face, and give me an hour or two of pure escapism. And The Oddest Little Chocolate Shop is no exception - don't expect lots of delicious chocolate descriptions, as its really about the contents of the shop - in fact when we first meet the shop and the chocolatier, the sexy Dominic Ravel, its empty! But that doesn't deter Clemmie from entering, meeting Monsieur Ravel and trying to work out what is going on, and who the white cat on the shops doorstep belongs too. With a cast of quirky characters, some sizzling chemistry, some chocolate, and a sibling relationship that would drive me a bit bonkers, this is a lot of fun packed into a short space. I just loved every second of it, could picture the shop and surroundings quite clearly and loved the dialogue too. Beth Good has mastered the art of telling a good amount of story into a small amount of pages, leaving you feeling as though it could have been a full story that you were reading, and not just a novella. I am so eager to see her full length release later in the year. Thank you to Beth Good for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Amazon UK Title: The Snow Rose Author: Lulu Taylor Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Purchased Publisher: Pan Publication Date: 1st December 2016 Rating: 5 Stars The Snow Rose is the gripping story of a woman on the run from her past by Lulu Taylor, author of The Winter Folly. I know they think I shouldn't keep her . . . That's why I've escaped them while I can, while I still have the opportunity . . . Kate is on the run with her daughter Heather, her identity hidden and their destination unknown to the family they've left behind. She's found a place where they can live in solitude, a grand old house full of empty rooms and dark secrets. But they're not alone, for there are the strange old ladies in the cottage next door: Matty and her sister Sissy. They know what happened here long ago, and are curious about Kate. How long can she hide Heather's presence from them? When an eccentric band of newcomers arrive, led by the charismatic Archer, Kate realizes that the past she's so desperate to escape is about to catch up with her. And inside the house, history is beginning to repeat itself . . . Oddly compulsive, every time I tried to put this book down, it called to me to continue reading. Not that it was a chore to carry on with the story, as I was completely absorbed and interested in the multitude of storylines that were unfurling. The book is split into four parts and just as you think you have got to grips with what is going on, the next part comes along and you are left reeling about various things, or a slight perspective change allows you to try and piece things together even faster. There is very little I can say about the story but yet so much I want to comment on, but daren't due to spoilers. The book opens with a mum on the run with her young child, she is desperate not to be found and take on guardianship of a large old house, in a fake name and has left a false trails all over herself. You get hints as to her current mental state and the feeling something isn't quite right and that is the first of the hooks into the story, as I had to find out more about Rachel and Hattie. The lengths she goes to, to hide Hattie's existence are very strong, and she hates that the house she has found isn't as remote as first thought. Even more confusing are the sisters who are nearby neighbours hinting that history is about to repeat itself. Let's just say the history of the house was fascinating and worrying at the same time. There were elements of it that I was slightly uncomfortable with due to my own beliefs, and I did stay skeptical for a large part of the book, but even so I still wanted to know what was going to happen next. The action flits between past and present in the chapters, and in two main stories. All of which I was utterly hooked on. The Snow Rose crept under mys skin and hasn't left yet, I was enchanted and gripped by this addictive tale. Thank you to everyone that voted this week, even if it was just due to the cover, you have picked well and it was a good change for met o read a non Christmas book even if it does have a wintery cover!

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: Sorry Not Sorry Author: Sophie Ranald Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Bookouture Publication Date: 13th February 2019 Rating: 4 Stars A fabulously feel-good novel that will make you laugh till you cry and leave you living life to the full, margarita in hand! Is this all there is? I scraped the last dregs of Caramel Chew Chew ice cream out of the bottom of the tub with my finger and licked it. It left a sticky smear on my phone’s screen when I typed into Google, “How to find love, sex and happiness.” Charlotte has always been a good girl. But being good is getting boring… She’s not just stuck in a rut – she’s buried in it up to her chin. The only company she has in bed is the back catalogue of Netflix and falling in love feels like the stuff of fairy tales. So when she stumbles across a popular podcast, ‘Sorry Not Sorry’, which challenges women to embrace their inner bad girl, she jumps at the chance to shake things up. Old Charlotte would never ask for a stranger’s number, go on a blind date or buy lacy lingerie… But New Charlotte is waving goodbye to her comfort zone (with a side order of margaritas). And it turns out that good things happen to bad girls… After a bit of a slow start, where I was struggling to work out who worked where, and what all the characters connections were - admittedly I was very tired when I read the first half of the book, which possibly affected my initial enjoyment - I'm glad I continued as I thoroughly enjoyed the second half of the book. What really intrigued me initially and kept me reading was the pod cast series that Charlotte was following called Sorry Not Sorry, all about getting in touch with your inner bad girl. I loved all the various challenges that were set and how Charlotte tried to embrace them. There were a couple of men in the book and I always had a weird inkling who she may end up with. I really enjoyed the hot and steamy times she had with Miles, the office architect, although whether I ever trusted him would be another matter. Getting to know Tansy, Charlottes new flat mate was enjoyable, and I was interested in what she was clearly hiding. And when the secret was revealed it made me think too. After around 50% was when I became properly engaged with the story, and found it was coming together in my mind more. I found I was really caring about the characters, and was interested to see how various situations would resolve themselves. There are even a good selection of people to hate if you are that way incline, and Charlotte's job exhausted me just thinking about it. An enjoyable book, and the hint in the notes at the back that we may get more books featuring Tansy and Adam, Charlotte's other flatmates is rather intriguing, and I really hope we do as I'd love to get to know Tansy even more. Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which i have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link. Amazon UK Title: The Split Author: Sharon Bolton Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: Trapeze Publication Date: 30th April 2020 Rating: 5 Stars SHE'S GOT NOWHERE LEFT TO HIDE. A year ago, in desperation, Felicity Lloyd signed up for a lengthy research trip to the remote island of South Georgia. It was her only way to escape. AND NOW HE'S COMING FOR HER. Freddie Lloyd has served time for murder. Out at last, he's on her trail. And this time, he won't stop until he finds her. BECAUSE NO MATTER HOW FAR YOU RUN, SOME SECRETS WILL ALWAYS CATCH UP WITH YOU... Tense, gripping and with a twist you won't see coming, Sharon Bolton is back in an explosive new thriller about a woman on the run... I'm stunned, I'm sitting here mouth wide open in an O, at just how this book concluded. The whole last quarter has just flown past in an unputdownable, and completely unpredictable conclusion. There is so much to unravel with regards the plot and yet I can't really comment on it all as it is so tightly weaved and plotted, that I don't want to inadvertently give spoilers. Ok I said unpredictable, the only thing I did have an inkling of ahead of the characters, was what a mental health condition was likely to be diagnosed as, but even then I hadn't put the whys, or understanding in place. So when the therapist comes to their conclusion and the full extent is unravelled there are more shocks along the way. What drew me towards the book was the setting of South Georgia, it is so remote, so cold, and clearly with its glaciers and ends of the earth feeling, a fabulous place to set a psychological thriller. I loved the descriptions of the remoteness and rugged terrain. This setting of South Georgia is like a character in itself, it is so key to various plot aspects, and I don't think you could have set it anywhere else. This is a gritty book, with plenty to keep you guessing, and as it ramps up, it becomes trickier and trickier to tear yourself away from. Such a clever title too, and that cover is so apt, its the perfect package for this incredible story. Thank you to Trapeze on Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I’m delighted to be here today on Day 5 of my Abi’s Neighbour Blog Tour! Abi’s Neighbour is the second novel to feature children’s picture book illustrator, Abi Carter. Having established a new life for herself in the Penwith region of Cornwall in Abi’s House, Abi now has time to enjoy the beautiful scenery she is surrounded by. Not even the arrival of her unwelcome new neighbour can stop her enjoyment of her seaview! Blurb Abi Carter has finally found happiness. Living in her perfect tin miner’s cottage, she has good friends and a gorgeous boyfriend, Max. Life is good. But all that’s about to change when a new neighbour moves in next door. Cassandra Henley-Pinkerton represents everything Abi thought she’d escaped when she left London. Obnoxious and stuck-up, Cassandra hates living in Cornwall. Worst of all, it looks like she has her sights set on Max. But Cassandra has problems of her own. Not only is her wealthy married lawyer putting off joining her in their Cornish love nest, but now someone seems intent on sabotaging her business. Will Cassandra mellow enough to turn to Abi for help – or are they destined never to get along? Complete with sun, sea and a gorgeous Cornwall setting, Abi’s Neighbour is the PERFECT summer escape. Buy links- Amazon UK | Amazon US When I initially had the idea to write a story about a young woman poised to escape a suffocating life amongst Surrey’s city wife set, I needed somewhere welcoming and friendly to send her to. The answer was obvious. I had to send my escapee to Cornwall. More specifically, I had to send the young woman, who was to become Abi, to the Penwith region of Cornwall. This includes Penzance, Lands End, and a multitude of villages and towns in between; including St Just, St Buryan, Sennen and Sennen Cove. My father was born and raised in Penzance. I spent every summer holiday there as a child. Consequently, I know the area very well. There is something special about the memories which we acquire in our childhoods. For me those memories involve over vinegar-ed fish and chips, ice creams on Marazion beach, sitting on the harbour edge in Sennen watching the lifeboat go out, seeing the Salonian Ferry head from Penzance to the Scilly Isles each morning, and listening to the crash of the waves over the boulders that make up the Battery Rocks in Penzance. All of these recollections helped to form the background to Abi Carter’s new life. However, it is one specific memory that decided me on the exact setting for Abi’s adventures. When I was eight years old I was walking up a hill with my parents and brother, through some of the cottages in the village of Sennen. We passed a row of stone built (former) tin miner’s cottages, and I immediately fell in love with the house on the very end of the terrace. It was a built of light grey stones, its roof was a traditional slate blue. There was a small square front garden, complete with a low white wooden fence. The front door was painted red, and a pair of small wellington boots sat next to it. I couldn’t see into the walled garden at the back, but in my mind it held a green house, a shed, and lots of benches in which to sit in the sunshine. There would be dog- a Labrador - and rows and rows of flowers and vegetables growing neatly side by side. It was this house, the image of which has stayed with me for over thirty years, that became the house that the young Abi Carter- also at the age of eight- dreamed of owning one day. Now, in her late twenties, that dream has come true. Sennen and Sennen Cove, with its mile of fine sand beach, traditional pubs, (including the Old Success which is a favourite of the characters in both novels), harbour, art galleries, cafes, and bucket and spade shops, is as much a star of Abi’s Neighbour as the human characters. Max Pendale, Abi’s boyfriend, is an amateur expert on the Penwith area. Fond of general knowledge and local legends, there is very little Max can’t tell you about Sennen, Land’s End and the nearby Gwenver beach in particular. If you want to know how Cornish cream teas came into being, or who the Zennor Mermaid was, then you’d better read Abi’s Neighbour. Max will be very happy to enlighten you- providing you but him a pint of St Austell Brewery’s Tribute first! *** Many thanks for hosting me today Rachel! Happy reading everyone. I hope you enjoy the rest of my blog tour. Jenny xx You are incredibly welcome Jenny. Thank you for sharing why you picked the Penwith area with us, My review of the first book Abi's House will be going live tomorrow. Bio Jenny Kane is the author of the full length romance novels Abi’s Neighbour, (Accent Press, 2017), Another Glass of Champagne (Accent Press, 2016), Abi’s House (Accent Press, 2015), the contemporary romance/medieval crime time slip novel Romancing Robin Hood (Accent Press, 2014), the best selling contemporary romance novel Another Cup of Coffee (Accent Press, 2013), and its novella length sequels Another Cup of Christmas (Accent Press, 2013), Christmas in the Cotswolds (Accent, 2014), and Christmas at the Castle (Accent Press, 2015). Keep your eye on Jenny’s blog at www.jennykane.co.uk for more details. Jenny also writes erotica as Kay Jaybee and historical crime as Jennifer Ash. Social Media Links Web site – www.jennykane.co.uk Twitter- @JennyKaneAuthor Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/JennyKaneRomance?ref=hl Amazon Author Page - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jenny-Kane/e/B00HYZIL1E/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1492502979&sr=8-2-ent Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7255618.Jenny_Kane?from_search=true

Amazon UK Title: The Little Perfume Shop Off The Champs-Élysées Author: Rebecca Raisin Format reviewed: Ebook Source: Netgalley Publisher: HQ Digital Publication Date: 30th March 2018 Rating: 5 Stars What is French for falling in love? When Del leaves small town America to compete in a perfume competition in Paris, she thinks it is just the next step on her five-year-plan. It’s an exciting opportunity. What started out as just a dream for Del and her twin sister is nearly in her grasp. If she wins this competition, they are on their way to opening their very own perfume boutique! Arriving in Paris, watching the sun glinting off the Seine and wandering the Champs-Elysees, Del discovers the most perfect perfumery she’s ever seen. Yet, as the competition dawns Del realises that whilst she might have had the best nose in her small village, her competitors seem to know more than she could ever have dreamed. This competition isn’t going to be easy… Del has the romance of Paris to sweep her away from her worries, but as the competition heats up, so does her desire for that which she cannot have! If only the dashing owner Sébastien didn’t smell so seductive, look so handsome and make her heart flutter like it never has before. They say love smells as sweet as a red rose in bloom, but Del would tell anyone that true love can’t be bottled – it’s beautiful and unique to everyone…even herself. With everything on the line for her future, can Del really let a little attraction get in the way of securing her dreams? I feel like I have been waiting for this book to be released forever. Thankfully within minutes of delving into it, I can safely say it was worth the wait. I absolutely loved everything to do with this book and it is clear the author must love perfume, with the way it was described , the scents, and what sensations they can evoke in a person. It is also the story of how you need to be brave to follow your dreams even if it means spending time apart from your twin sister. It is a story of regaining your confidence, of not stooping to your competitors levels of sabotage and instead being a decent human being, and it is a story of trusting your heart and instincts. Oh and its set in Paris, and features a perfume competition of which Del is just one of the competitor. Del is instantly likeable, seems to have lost some confidence in her perfume making abilities, since her gran died a few years back, but has entered this competition as it brings with it fantastic career opportunities. So long as she can make it past the earlier rounds and not be driven round the bend with here fellow competitors antics. Del is also just slightly clumsy, after all how else can you explain 3 accidents occurring throughout her first day in Paris that all just happen to have one other factor in common. I loved not only the descriptions of the perfumes and the scents, which I wished I had a defined enough sense of smell to be able to full appreciate, but the descriptions of Paris. Both characters and locations from the other books in Rebecca Raisin's Little Paris Collection have a brief moment in the spotlight, although if you haven't read the other books it won't matter as this is a complete standalone, but with extra goodies for regular readers of the author. There is also an excursion so Provence, to the home of Lavender and I could see it all so clearly, I thoroughly enjoyed this section of the book too with all of its descriptions, and the accompanying story with it too. Humour, romance, Paris, french food (well some), a bouquet of scents to tickle your senses, rivalries and a lot of perfume, all combine to bring you one fabulous book. I just hope we don't have to wait as long for the next Rebecca Raisin book. Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.